Northwestern’s Chanel Madson: A Double Major Beyond the Classroom
ST. PAUL -- Coming off of her best week of college basketball at the time, where she averaged 15.5 points per game and shot 60 percent or better from the entire court and from behind the three-point line, Northwestern College freshman Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) barely had time to breathe. After tackling an afternoon basketball practice on Friday, Dec. 2, Madson was off to her first performance as one of just three freshmen in Northwestern's College Choir as it took part in the annual Christmas at Northwestern concert series. What most people don't know is that Chanel was at choir practice before basketball practice too. Saturday was the same story, except this time it was an afternoon basketball game instead of practice. Then, the multitalented rookie was off to don her choir robe yet again for a Saturday night concert before singing one more time on Sunday afternoon. For most people, that weekend full of activities would be considered a marathon. For Madson, this is a way of life.
Since the official start of the college basketball season on October 15, Madson has been pulling double duty nearly every day. Her typical afternoon schedule features an hour and 15 minute choir rehearsal and then basketball practice immediately afterwards. “I usually go to the Ericksen Center (Northwestern's athletic and physical education building) before choir begins to get my practice gear on. That way, I don't have to spend time in between the two and can just get straight to practicing,” she says. While Chanel's sweatshirt and pants may not fit the general attire of a typical choir practice, those who stand next to her in rehearsal are sure glad that choir comes before basketball on the schedule most days. “There are times I have to run straight from basketball practice to choir practice, so my poor friends waiting for me in the choir room have to stand next to a sweaty body.”
On one of her first first double-duty days in October, assistant coach Michael Slate suggested Madson run a few laps on the track above the gym floor to warm up. “I'm ready to go,” she replied, hinting that she had already run across campus from choir practice. Last week's Christmas at Northwestern rehearsals were much of the same theme for Chanel. “Some days, we practiced for four hours in the afternoon. When everyone else took a break for supper, I sprinted to the gym for basketball practice before quickly running back for our evening choir practices.” Talk about a workout. “To be honest, I was a little exhausted after the weekend,” she said. “But it was so worth it to be a part of it all.”
When asked how she is handling this schedule while experiencing her first semester as a college student, Madson smiled. Knowing the challenge set before her, Chanel and her academic advisor scheduled her classes so that the first quad was heavily loaded and the second quad, when basketball started, would require less coursework. Her spring semester schedule is the opposite, with the heaviest half of the term coming after spring break.
“Planning all of this is a challenge,” Madson said. “It requires a lot of organization in my schedule, but handling it is actually a blessing. I consider it a great opportunity to be able to participate in basketball and College Choir, both of which I thoroughly enjoy, while being a student. I don't look at it as 'I have to do this,' but rather 'I get to do this.' I feel fortunate because my director and coaches have made adjustments so I am able to do both.”
Does it surprise you that Madson is pursuing a double major in music ministry and public relations? As part of her music ministry degree, Chanel is required to take weekly private voice and piano lesions, which are each a half hour in length and come with several hours of practice. In addition, she sings in the chapel worship team and participates in intramural sports.
This rigorous schedule is nothing new for Madson. Her activities at Westbrook-Walnut Grove High School included student government, FFA (where she was a state champion in the talent competition), choir, band, vocal jazz, musicals, Knowledge Bowl and Life Smarts competitions. And, oh yeah, she participated in four sports. Try keeping this up while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average and being named the valedictorian of your class. Chanel did.
Madson, who has started in all of Northwestern's games this year, sings the national anthem with teammate Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) at almost every home game. Last summer, she experienced the highlight of her music career to date when she was asked represent the state FFA and sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Minnesota Twins game (watch her performance here). “That was one of the coolest moments of my life,” Chanel said.
How does all of this look from a coaching perspective? “Chanel exemplifies what an NCAA Division III student-athlete can be,” said Northwestern head coach Aaron Kahl. “While being an excellent student, she's very talented both musically and athletically, and I'm glad that she can continue to be successful in both areas.” Kahl mentioned that there are some challenges that go with being involved in Madson's multiple activities, but he affirmed that she is great in making both things work. “Chanel has been a very valuable part of our team, and she represents our institution well in many ways.”
Chanel's teams -- both on the basketball court and in the choir room -- have supported her in both endeavors. “It's been so cool to bond with my teammates. I love going to practice, going to games and concerts, because both groups have a great chemistry and I'm proud to be a part of them.”
Madson continues to elevate her performances on the basketball court. On Friday, Dec. 9, she recorded a new collegiate career-high 19 points in a nonconference game against Luther College, marking the fourth time in six games that the freshman has set a new record point total for herself. The Eagles will get one more game in prior to Christmas break, hosting Augsburg College on Saturday before embarking on a west coast trip that will feature a pair of games in California before the end of 2011.