September 07, 2007
Q: You are one of the most decorated tennis players in school history. It must be a real honor to be inducted into the A&M Hall of Fame this weekend?
A: It is such an honor to be in the company of all of these great athletes and coaches. As a student-athlete, you sacrifice so much and now, it seems you receive the benefits of it all.
Q: What are your fondest memories of your playing career at Texas A&M?
A: My college experience as a whole was a great experience, but the moments that stick out the most would be winning our three Big 12 Conference Championships in 2000 and 2001 and reaching the NCAA Elite Eight as a team in 2001.
Q: What do you miss most about Aggieland?
A: I miss football weekends in Aggieland, because it?â„¢s such a special atmosphere. I try to come back to as many as possible.
Q: Do you keep in contact with any of your former teammates?
A: With the majority of them, yes. Just by playing together, we formed such a tight bond and most of us have done a good job of keeping in touch with each other over the years.
Q: You are now coaching elite junior players in the Dallas area. How fulfilling is it to work with young people?
A: It is very fulfilling coaching kids. When you?â„¢re coaching younger kids, you have more of an impact on their game, whereas when you?â„¢re coaching in college, you are trying to polish up their games. It has been very rewarding to coach younger players.
Q: How did Texas A&M prepare you for life?
A: My experience at Texas A&M taught me a sense of pride, which you can carry into whatever you do in life. The other thing I learned was loyalty, which is my favorite thing about A&M. A sense of price and loyalty are the two biggest tools you can carry into life and your chosen career path.
Q: How special is it to be an Aggie?
A: Very! Even more so in my case, because at 18 years old, I didn?â„¢t know anything about A&M other than it was just a place I was going to play tennis. Compared to my hometown of Miami, College Station was a different lifestyle, and it took me a semester to get accustomed to the traditions and the Aggie way of life. But in the end, it was a move I am very proud to have made.
Q: Whom do you credit most for the success you have enjoyed as a player and a coach?
A: Mostly my parents, Shuon and Adelis Madden. Neither one of them had a tennis background, but from both of them, I learned about sacrifice, commitment and giving 100 percent in everything that you do. For that, I credit them.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to current and future Aggies?
A: Enjoy your time here, because it comes and goes really fast. Also, get involved on campus, because there is nothing like it when you graduate.
THE MADDEN FILE
* Four-Time All-American
* Four-Time All-Big 12 Singles
* Four-Time All-Big 12 Doubles
* Two-Time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year
* Two-Time Big 12 No. 1 Singles Champion
* Highest National Singles Ranking ?- No. 2
* Highest National Doubles Ranking ?- No. 1
* Four NCAA Doubles Appearances
* Three NCAA Singles Appearances
* Career Singles Record: 98-29
* Career Doubles Record: 85-28