8/11/2005 - Football
Former Naval Academy QB Serves In Iraq

Former Naval Academy QB Serves in Iraq

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Chad V. Pritt?
Commander, THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment Public Affairs

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - They go to the U.S. Naval Academy for different reasons.? High school students from all over the country put in their applications for the chance at a great education and to serve their country.?

Some go to the university for those reasons and more.

Lt.j.g. Brian Madden, a 2002 graduate of the Naval Academy, attended the institution as a starting quarterback for the Academy's football team, known as the Midshipmen.? He played this position beginning his sophomore year through the 2001 season.? He is currently deployed to Iraq with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1.

Madden jumped into his first season starting for the Midshipmen his sophomore year.

"My sophomore year I led the nation in rushing among QBs," said Madden, a Lawton, Okla., native.? "I rushed for 987 my sophomore year, and 1100 yards my senior year.? I missed my junior year due to an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear."?

Madden received his trial by fire his sophomore year, when he started against one of the best-known names in college sports: Notre Dame.

"That was my first start," said Madden, NMCB 1's assistant supply officer.? "Notre Dame's beaten us like 40 consecutive years.? I went in there, in that hostile environment, and rushed for over 160 yards and we came up short.? It was one of those things.? We were up 24-21 with 30 seconds to play, and somehow that magic of Notre Dame beat us.? It was one of my better experiences.? I was able to walk in there an almost pull a big upset.? I think that'll go down as one of my best moments, because nobody expected anything from me and it was the start of my career."

Madden, who has played football since he was 10 years old, graduated from the Academy with a bachelor's of science degree in economics.

"I had no idea that I'd go to the Naval Academy," said Madden, who was approached by an Academy scout his senior year in high school.? "I grew up in Oklahoma and (Oklahoma) Sooners football was big.? I was a senior in high school and the Naval Academy looked like the best option.? They were coming off a great season and graduating their quarterback and I thought I could step in there and play, with a combination of a great education and the opportunity at a great job as a Naval officer.? I got to meet a lot of great guys and graduate from a prestigious institution like the Naval Academy."

The world of college football, with the largest fan base among college sports, features some of the most intense rivalries:? Boston College vs. Notre Dame; Cornell vs. Pennsylvania; and Navy vs. Army.? The Army-Navy's 115-year-old rivalry is one of the oldest in college football.

"Obviously Army-Navy is a huge rivalry," Madden said.? "You've got millions of people rooting for it one way or the other.?

"In a time we're in today, with the patriotic nations we live in, people are looking for young leaders to succeed in this kind of atmosphere (Iraq).? I think those are the kind of situations that help you be able to manage and be a leader in a contingency environment.? Those kind of atmosphere's really prep you because you're under a lot of stress and you've got to be able to perform, like out here."

Madden and NMCB 1 are currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom providing engineering support throughout the Al Anbar Province.?


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