Photo Courtesy of Sports Information
By Jenna Horning, Staff Writer
Madi Welliver is a senior on the Susquehanna women’s soccer and basketball team from Turbotville, Pa. She is an early childhood education and special education major while also working on acquiring an extra certification. Welliver is a goalkeeper on the soccer team and a forward or center on the basketball team. In addition to being a two-sport athlete, Welliver is also a leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the COVID-19 compliance officer and soccer representative for the Student Activities Committee, a team captain for the B+ Foundation and a mentor for the Susquehanna’s Mentor Collective.
How long have you been playing soccer and basketball?
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was six years old. I started playing organized basketball in fifth grade, but I started playing when I was in first grade.”
Did you play any other sports growing up?
“From the time I was three until I was 13, I did competitive baton twirling. When I was 10, I was Miss Majorette of Pennsylvania. I went on to Nationals and Worlds, and I placed top 10 in Worlds. I also danced, played baseball and played softball when I couldn’t play baseball anymore. I also did track and field in high school.”
Why did you decide to come to Susquehanna?
“I’m a transfer student, but Susquehanna felt like the right place. Being local I have friends that come here already and knew about the opportunities that I could have here. It seemed like a better fit for me, and it definitely was.”
What do you enjoy most about athletics here at SU?
“I like the opportunities that both of my coaches give me to be a part of two teams because my seasons overlap quite a bit. Everyone is so supportive, willing to help you out, and they just want the best for you.”
What is your favorite basketball memory?
“Our game against E-Town last year, that is a team favorite memory. It was the first time we had beaten them in four years, and we beat them at home which was a big deal for us.”
What is your favorite soccer memory?
“When we won our first conference championship for the program and we went into PKs so that was a big deal on my part. That game we came from behind and went into double overtime. Also last year against Catholic when we beat them in PKs to go to the championship game.”
Do you have any favorite team traditions?
“For soccer we always do team dinners before big games. It’s always nice to bond with everyone off the field. We also do secret locker buddies and I love that stuff because I love decorating or writing notes. That’s always a fun thing, and we do it every home conference game. During basketball practices it is always a positive environment and we’re always hyping each other up. We’re a very close team and I love pregame practices because we get the music going in the gym, so everyone gets into it.”
How do you manage your time as a two-sport athlete?
“I do spend a lot of time doing work, but I focus on goals for the day. In order to manage going to lifts, practices, other outside team things I’ve always had to be able to work days in advance to get stuff done.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“It depends on the time of year, but whatever I do I like to be outside. I go hunting this time of year, I like to go hiking, anything outdoors and just being with my friends.”
What are your passions/you passionate about?
“I’m really passionate about helping people and being a support system for somebody else. I’m always a friend that people can come to for advice or just to be there for them. I love working with kids. I coach basketball at the Lewisburg YMCA, so when I’m not at school I’m usually there working.”
What advice do you have for younger students/student athletes?
“Never hold anything back. Don’t be afraid to take chances or try new things. Be friends with everybody because in college you get to start over and there are so many amazing people you can meet.”
Who is your role model?
“I would say my mom. She’s the most hardworking person I have ever met, and she will never say no to [helping] somebody. She works so many jobs because she loves what she does and she is passionate about helping others.”
If you could change anything in the world, what would it be?
“I would want there to be more love in the world. I feel like that is something people don’t appreciate or don’t have enough of. We can be so quick to judge and with everything going on in the world I feel like people need some positivity and to love others.”
