Class of 2024 Softball Commit Madison Howard
Maddie is one heck of a kid, she is coming to WSC from Las Vegas, NV. She has such a presence about her that draws you in, she has a swagger on the field and a quiet confidence off the field. She is a straight shooter, coming from a family of entrepreneurs, there isn't much room for nonsense, but Maddie has been able to find a great balance of business on the diamond and fun off the diamond! Welcome to the Tetons Maddie, we are so happy to have you!
"Every once in a while you reach out to a kid, hopeful that your school, community and program will be able to serve their growth and dreams. Maddie is one of those kids, we saw her game footage online and we never immediately that she would look great in Teton Green! After I got off the phone with Maddie and her mother Tabitha, I was filled with so much joy. They are incredibly humble and full of vigor for life and for the game. It has been such a joy getting to know them over the past few months. Maddie is a player that a program can build around and lean on when times get rough, she is such a kind person but she is tough as nails and incredibly smart. She has transformed her craft behind the plate and is looking forward to being challenged, she's the type of player that makes a coach need to get better in order to serve her growth and development. I am extremely excited to have her her with us and work daily to support her as she is building a career she is proud of." - Coach Ward
Why did you choose Williston State College?
"I chose Williston State College because it is an amazing environment filled with great people. At Williston State College I will be getting a great education and be able to reach my goal of college ball I want to play. Personally I feel like at Williston State College I won't get lost in the crowd, the teachers actually care about your education and want you to succeed."
Tell us about your family:
"I was born and raised in California and I lived there till I was about 9. We had to move because my parents were going from California to Vegas almost every weekend for work and it wasn't practical so we just decided to move to Vegas. Before we moved to Vegas, My mom worked for AAA in the telecommunications area and my Dad fixed and delivered air tools. After we moved to Vegas my parents took over my aunt's business and became self-employed. My mom was born in Ohio and my dad was born in Arizona. My parents come from a racing background, my mom raced midget-cars and my dad was a professional sprint car driver. It's kinda cool cause my parents actually knew each other for years before they met and when they finally met it was at a race track. I not only have two amazing parents but I have an older brother. My older brother was born in California. My brother and I used to play soccer together, we were in a league for a while until I decided I wanted to play softball. Along with my parents, my brother has a big racing background. He has been racing since he was 7, he went from go karts to TQ's to midgets and most recently he raced trophy trucks. My family has been my biggest support for the longest time and it's great being surrounded by them everyday."
What do you bring to Teton Softball, the WSC campus and the Williston Community?
"I bring a fun spirit and a hard working athlete / student."
How are you feeling about starting college ball?
"I am so excited for the upcoming season, I have literally been dreaming of the day I go to college for so long. I can't be more grateful that I get this opportunity to do what I love and get an amazing education at the same time."
What is your best softball memory so far?
"My best softball memory is definitely winning the championship at a C4 tournament in California. I was the only catcher that weekend and I caught about 7 games and I was so tired and the only thing I wanted to come from that tournament was to be able to still walk after catching that many games. We won the championship and we all ran to each other and did a big dog pile and we just really played as a team that weekend and it was a lot of fun"
Academic goals: My academic achievements are to graduate with no regrets and keep my grade point average above a 3.4
Sporting achievements: MVP of the year (freshman), tournament championships
What is one thing (can be softball related but preferably outside of playing softball), that you will always be proud of?
"One thing I will always be proud of is how I have grown from every mistake I've made."
Favorite food: sushi
Movie: Hotel Transylvania 3
Music: anything by Khalid or Giveon
Vacation spot: Aruba
Lucky number: 97
When we called her current coach, Coach Gordie at Lil' Rebels, he had this to say, "She has taken her game to the next level, she has recently joined us and we have been really happy for her growth over the past months since she's been with us. She works hard, her family works hard to support her goals, they are a great family. They actually came up and thanked me for my time and for coaching their daughter after our last tournament.. That doesn't happen often. Maddie is a great kid and is going to be very good for yall." We are blessed to be Maddie's new home and can't wait to get her here with us!