Issue date: 6/21/04 Section: Sports

With racquet clinched tight, Shuon Madden hopes to climb into the professional tennis rankings over the next year. Madden has recently begun training for his quest, which will include many trips to Europe.

He was practically born with a tennis racquet in his hand. After moving to the United States from Venezuela as a child, he took up tennis. Ever since he started taking tennis seriously at the age of 15, Shuon Madden knew he wanted to go pro.

Madden, four-time All-American Aggie tennis player and two-year assistant coach, will be stepping down from the A&M men's assistant coach position to pursue his goal.

Before his eligibility expired in 2001, Madden collected two Big 12 Conference Player of the Year awards, All-Big 12 recognition during all four of his years playing for Texas A&M, a national singles ranking of No. 2, four NCAA Doubles Championship showings and three NCAA Singles Championship showings.

As a team member, Madden led the Aggies to four consecutive NCAA Championship appearances and three visits to the round of 16, as well as to three Big 12 Tournament titles and a regular season Big 12 Championship. In 2001, A&M reached the round of eight in NCAA team championships and achieved a national ranking of No. 4. Madden helped keep the team in the top 10 for the entire season.

After his eligibility expired, Madden decided to stay in school and finish his degree, and then he took the assistant coaching position for the men's tennis team at A&M.

"It's been a great ride as a player and as a coach. My mind and body are telling me to go on and take the next venture," Madden said.

Madden's biggest influence at A&M in his playing and coaching careers has been his teammates. He said they developed a close bond and shared incredible experiences together.

Cody Hubbell, former teammate, co-captain and good friend of Madden's shared the same sentiment.

"One of our best moments and times I had was our freshman year when we beat t.u. in the finals of the Big 12 tournament," Hubbell said. "It was the first time we won a championship together. We had no idea what was going on; we were all like little kids."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools