Football Student-Athlete Spotlight: Jesse Madden
11/30/2023 10:00:00 AM | Football
Balancing life as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan is no easy task. In this series, U-M football players who are getting their business done on the field and in the classroom are spotlighted as a credit to their work ethic and organization. Get to know them better as students by learning what subjects, experiences, teachers, professors, and lessons have impacted them most during their academic careers in this Student-Athlete Spotlight Series.
Q. As you consider your time remaining as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan, what do you want your legacy to be off the field and on?
Jesse Madden: I want to be someone who is known to attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. I want to be known as someone who did anything like they did everything, so attack(ing) football just as well as they attack school, just as well as they attack being a good friend, just as well as they attack being a Michigan man. I want to be known as someone who can be trusted and attack each one of the aspects of their life with the same energy and enthusiasm.
Q. Outside of your athletic achievements, what are you most proud of during your time at the University?
JM: I'm most proud of being recognized as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. I honestly didn't know much about the award until I received it. I went into Michigan not really knowing how I would perform academically, so I made it a goal of mine to give it my best effort. After my first few semesters, I had a pretty solid GPA and felt like it was something I could maintain. Once I got more into my classes and settled on a major, I realized getting all A's was doable.
Q. What has been the important skill that you have developed in your time at Michigan and in achieving your academic goals?
JM: Attention to detail is probably the most important skill I've developed while at Michigan. Academically, since my freshman year, it has constantly been emphasized by my professors to pay close attention to every small detail in my work. For instance, in math the courses I have taken, I've realized that something as small as a single decimal point or number can throw off entire equations. This mindset has had a positive impact on my everyday life and continues to motivate me to form good habits such as keeping a clean room and locker. Being detail-oriented has also allowed me to stay clean on the field and helps me prevent any mistakes that could affect my performance.
Q. What is your biggest goal for the academic year?
JM: This academic year, I want to continue what I have been able to accomplish academically so far and once again be recognized as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.
Q. What's some advice you would give an incoming freshman, or someone interested in attending the University of Michigan?
JM: I would tell an incoming freshman to be aware of the countless resources that this university has to offer. The resources might not always be right in front of you, so make sure you put in the effort to seek them out. Don't be afraid to ask for help. My mom was actually the one who pushed me to talk to (Director of Football Administration) Claiborne Green during my freshman year, which I'm thankful for. It was super beneficial to know from the very start where to go for resources and advice. Claiborne helped me build out my first few schedules, which allowed me to have a smooth transition into college and stay ahead of classes. Tutoring has also been a super helpful resource that this university generously offers. Everyone who works at Michigan only wants the best for every student -- that's what makes this place so special. Also, make sure to stay on top of your academics. Sometimes your work will sneak up from underneath you, so always make sure to have a good grip on your assignments and expectations as a student.
Q. What was the best school field trip you ever went on?
JM: The Michigan trip last year was pretty cool. We went to Washington, D.C., New York, and then ended the trip in Canton, Ohio. Going to Canton to see the Pro Football Hall of Fame was awesome. Although I had already been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame a bunch of times before, it was cool walking around the museum with the entire team and soaking in the legacy of the greats to come before us.
Q. What is your favorite academic memory for elementary or middle school?
JM: This is kind of a broad memory, but I really enjoyed learning about U.S. history back in elementary school. Learning how this great country was formed was eye-opening to me. I'm proud to be an American and still, to this day, find myself fascinated by the stories of those who built our nation.
Q. Are you involved in any extracurricular clubs or leadership activities?
JM: I'm not involved in any formal extracurricular clubs, but I do try and take advantage of all philanthropic opportunities offered by the team. My favorite event so far has been when my teammates and I painted houses on one of our team trips. That was fun because it was a unique team-building exercise with all of us contributing to one common goal, which was to restore these houses and give back to communities in need. This experience relates back to the skills I have developed so far at Michigan, such as my ability to be detail-oriented and a good team player.
Q. In addition to your professors, who have been the most influential people in your academic career?
JM: My dad, grandma, and grandpa were all super influential in my academic career. My grandparents both worked for a while in an education-related field. My grandma was a teacher, and my grandpa got a degree in education. Both of my grandparents passed on their enthusiasm for academics to my dad, who is a really smart guy. My dad would always tell me growing up that although football is important, it will never be more important than school. My dad definitely set the tone and stayed on top of my grades. When I wasn't reaching the standard of the household, my dad would always push me to try a little harder. He could always tell when I was slacking and knew I could put in more effort for school. Although the pressure could be a little stressful at times, looking back, I'm grateful to have been motivated by my family to form healthy habits from a young age.
Q. What has been your most memorable academic experience?
JM: My first big exam sophomore year is for sure one of my most memorable academic experiences. I remember at the beginning of the semester my professor, Dr. Porter, announced in our classic civilization class that we would be taking a blue book exam, which immediately gave me a pit in my stomach. I had no clue what a "blue book" was or where to even get one. I went to pick it up, still feeling like this giant book with a bunch of blank pages would be the death of me. I went into the exam promising myself that I would give it my all. I did just that and ended up performing well, giving me a lot more confidence in my academics moving forward.
Q. What has been your favorite class or two and why? What professor has had the greatest impact?
JM: My favorite professor has been Dr. Dana Nichols, who teaches primarily English classes. Dr. Nichols is awesome; I've taken multiple of her classes even though I'm not an English major. She has always been super respectful and supportive. She is flexible around other time commitments that some of her students have and constantly goes out of her way to make sure everyone gets the most out of each of her lectures. I'm super excited to be taking another one of her classes next semester. I'm currently in Dr. Nichol's English 303 course, which has turned out to be my favorite class so far at Michigan. We're analyzing rhetoric and studying social movements from an English lens. It's been interesting looking at both historic movements and modern movements.
Q. What is your favorite book and podcast?
JM: My favorite book is "Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy, which I read this summer. Dungy goes into detail about his career as a coach and player. He has a unique outlook on football and roots a lot of his career in faith. My favorite podcast is 'Bussin' With The Boys' with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. Will Compton played for the Raiders and Taylor Lewan obviously played for Michigan and the Titans.
