Terp Talk With Softball's Cortney Madea
4/13/2000 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 13, 2000
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - As one of two seniors on the Maryland softball team, designated player Cortney Madea (Northampton, Pa.) owns a special role. In addition to boasting a Maryland career-record 108 RBI, a .298 batting average, a team-leading 10 doubles and a GPA of 3.85, Madea possesses many intangible qualities that contribute to team and personal success.
According to head coach Gina LaMandre, "Cortney is a very ethical person. She brings incredible leadership to this team." "Cortney fixes things," explained teammate and housemate Michelle Burrell. "If there's ever any problems, Cortney makes sure they get handled right away."
Recently, umterps.com, the official website of Maryland athletics, sat down to talk with Madea about her likes, dislikes, softball and much more.
umterps.com: When did you start playing softball?
CM: I started playing in a league in the Lehigh Township when I was nine. My cousin, Stacie, who was the same age played, and my mom said I should try.
umterps.com: Were you always good?
CM: I was so horrible at first. I think I struck out every time I was up. My first practice ever I totally didn't know what to do. I stood on the plate when I was batting.
umterps.com: Have you ever played any other sports?
CM: I played field hockey in junior high and high school with my friends. It was a good way to stay in shape and have fun.
umterps.com: How did you decide to come to Maryland?
CM: I looked at a bunch of schools at first, and I thought I wanted to stay really close to home. I was still undecided when I was playing softball in a summer league after my senior year of high school. Coach LaMandre and Coach Lawson were recruiting Jen Potzman at the time, and we started talking then.
umterps.com: Can you tell us something about Coach LaMandre or Coach Lawson?
CM: I really missed home freshman year, and they were the main reason that I stayed, and I'm really glad I did. You can go to them for anything --- Coach is really easy to talk to. I can have a conversation with Coach about anything that's going on in my life. And Rachel is the same way.
umterps.com: Name something about softball that people might not know about.
CM: I think people think that it [hitting] is easy, but they don't understand how fast your reaction time has to be because the pitcher is so close.
umterps.com: What is your favorite thing about playing softball?
CM: I like the competition. The way you can out-do yourself and go beyond what you think you are able to do.
umterps.com: Do you have any favorite athletes?
CM: I really like Mark McGwire because he hits the ball far, and he's a good person.
umterps.com: Like you?
CM: Maybe.
umterps.com: Is he a role model for you?
CM: I think my parents, coaches and my brother are more my role models. My brother plays football at Cornell --- he's got an incredible work ethic.
umterps.com: What things might we not know about you?
CM: That I help tutor other student-athletes in some classes.
umterps.com: What classes?
CM: Math 111, Plant Biology, Health, Government, Philosophy, Criminal Justice ...
umterps.com: Wow, smartypants. Anything else?
CM: That I'm a huge "Winnie the Pooh" fan. My friends and teammates say my room looks like a three-year-old's.
umterps.com: A "Pooh" tribute?
CM: It's not really that bad.
umterps.com: What are your favorite TV shows?
CM: "Ally McBeal" is the best show on the whole entire planet. It's so funny!
umterps.com: Any favorite movies?
CM: I like "The Game" and "The Matrix." I like renting movies, where I can do other things while watching. I don't like going to the movies. That's too much sitting still for too long.
umterps.com: Any musical preferences?
CM: My teammates will say that I only listen to 80s metal and rock. But I also got into country when I came to Maryland?
umterps.com: Country?!?!
CM: Hey, take it easy! What music do you like?
umterps.com: What do you want to do with your government and politics/philosophy major?
CM: I was accepted to go to the University of Maryland's law school in Baltimore.
umterps.com: What are you going to practice?
CM: Environmental law. I got into that stuff after taking a few government classes.
umterps.com: Would you ever think about coaching?
CM: I don't know. I don't think I have the patience for it. I love working with kids at the camps, but I don't know about coaching.
Contact: Mark Fratto
301-314-7064 (phone)
301-474-9094 (fax)
301-314-TERP (FanPhone)
fratto@wam.umd.edu
