Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Crews
Hi Madison, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I didn’t initially know what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to be involved with sports. I have always loved sports. I was raised as a Georgia Bulldogs fan since I could walk and I fell in love with soccer after watching the 2014 Rio World Cup with my dad. It was the spring semester of my sophomore year in college at Kennesaw State studying Sports Management when I took Sports Broadcasting. William Edmonds was my professor and I remember falling in love with sports broadcasting. I loved the idea of telling a story of a player or a team. Ever since then, I knew that was my path. I applied for the KSU Owl Network, which is an organization responsible for all of our ESPN+ broadcast for Kennesaw State Athletics. I started out working in behind the scenes behind the camera and working in the control room. I was the audio operator and I even worked a few games as the graphics operation for ESPN+ games. I was then given the opportunity to be in front on the camera for KSU. I have been the sideline reporter for Volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball for KSU. I have done play-by-play for Lacrosse and soccer at KSU as well. I’m forever grateful to Kennesaw State for giving me those opportunities and for opening so many doors.
Then, in the fall semester of my senior year in 2023, I had the opportunity to call an ESPN+ KSU Soccer game with Jason Longshore, the voice of Atlanta United. As a long time Atlanta United fan, I was freaking out. After that, I said that I was looking for an internship and he said he has a company called, the SDH Network or Soccer Down Here. He said he had seen my stand-ups and work on camera and wanted to reach out for me to join. I have been a part of Soccer Down Here since and have been able to do so many crazy things. It as been so surreal. I am now a part of the pregame/postgame show for ATLUTD on 92.9 the Game, I have covered the SheBelieves Cup and the COPA America. With SDH, I cover Atlanta United, Atlanta United 2, college soccer, High school soccer and other professional soccer clubs here in Georgia.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been some challenges. One of the biggest things I have struggled with is my confidence. I would always doubt myself whenever I first started out on camera. I wanted everything to be perfect, but that is impossible, especially when it’s live broadcasting. I wanted to put my best foot forward always, but I then forgot to be myself. People can tell when you are not authentic. I needed to find out what type of broadcaster and reporter I wanted to be.
It can also be hard, especially being a women in the sports world. From a broadcast standpoint, I always feel like I have to prove my knowledge and credibility all the time because as some viewers and colleagues assume that I’m less qualified or knowledgeable than male counterparts. Sometimes, you hear comments about your appearance or your voice when you are on air that a lot of men in the industry don’t get. One of the biggest things I have learned is that you have to be yourself and not let the outside noise bother you. You have to believe that you can do it and surround yourself with people who will support you. It is awesome to see more women in the sports world and watching the growth of women’s sports. This is proof that women do belong in sports.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
With the SDH Network, I am a host and a reporter. I cover everything from Atlanta United, Atlanta United 2, ATLUTD Academy, college soccer, high school soccer and other professional clubs here in Georgia. I’m a sports broadcaster that has called games for UPSL, ATLUTD, college and high school games. I’m also a sideline reporter for Georgia State’s men’s and women’s basketball. I am also featured on 92.9 the Game for Atlanta United coverage.
My favorite thing we do at Soccer Down Here is the stories we tell. I love that we tackle stories from all over the state. some of my favorite stories were about Carlie Banks, who is a part of the US Women’s Futsal National Team and one about Ben Alram, who is a player on the Oglethorpe men’s soccer team. That’s one of the reasons I love doing what I do. Many people know about Atlanta United, but we bring awareness to the other places in Georgia where soccer is growing and thriving. Atlanta is a soccer city, and we definitely show that with the stories we tell on Soccer Down Here.
What’s next?
It’s interesting because I feel so blessed to be able to do what I do right now. I hope to continue to be able to tell these amazing stories for years to come. There is so much exciting things happening her in Atlanta in the soccer world. If you would have told me in 2017 that I would be covering the club that my dad and I cheered for at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for years, I wouldn’t believe you. I still can’t believe that my voice is featured on 92.9 the Game for Atlanta United when I would listen with my dad on the way back from every game. It is so surreal.
I want to help bring awareness to stories that people normally wouldn’t see. I want to continue to help support women in sports every chance I can. It’s a dream come true that I get to do what I do. I want to help give back in any way I can. Soccer did so much for me and I want to help it continue to grow in my home state.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madisoncrews.godaddysites.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisoncrews7/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-crews-3b838624a/
- Twitter: https://x.com/MadisonCrews7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadisonCrews02
Image Credits
GSU photo: Ivan Konon (instagram: kononphoto)
KSU sideline photo: Abigail Yorke (instagram: acysports)
Every other one except the selfie of Jess and i and the group photo: Sofia Cupertino (instagram: photosbyysofia
