Indiana University Athletics
Student-Athlete Spotlight: Maddie Pierce
8/21/2016 10:42:00 PM | General, Women's Rowing, Student-Athlete Services
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON - Maddie Pierce didn't know what awaited her in Vietnam, but the Indiana rowing sophomore knew that she had to get there.
The Cincinnati native heard about the Coach for College program through the IU Athletics Excellence Academy. Pierce admitted that she didn't think she would get selected as a freshman, but applied anyway because the program aligned with her values.
"Athletics and academics are two really big parts of my life," Pierce said when asked about her initial interest. "I've always been really into sports and was a really athletic kid, and I've always had a love for learning and learning with others. That, combined with my love for working with kids, drew me to Coach for College."
What Maddie experienced once she arrived on the other side of the world reached far beyond her expectations.
For one, the living conditions in Vietnam gave participants an escape from the comforts of home. At night, Pierce and her fellow coaches slept under mosquito nets in their three-person dorms. The bathroom in their dorms worked like one giant shower with the showerhead on the wall. The water was cold, but Pierce said her room was blessed to have water pressure. Other coaches had to use a bucket of water as their shower.
"The experience was definitely humbling for me," said Pierce. "It's amazing that people live like that and it was eye opening for me to see that I live in such luxury. We have so many blessings over here that we don't even think about, but at the same time people in countries like Vietnam live their lives without thinking about what we have."
Pierce seemed more excited by the opportunity to live differently than bothered by the lack of everyday conveniences. What really stood out to her about the three-week trip was working with the kids and seeing how they responded to teaching.
"They just wanted to learn. If we made a correction, they would immediately go to work on fixing their issue," Pierce said. "If they did something wrong on the court, they would immediately react to their mistake without giving up. That taught me to think about learning, how important new experiences and new knowledge can be."
The role reversal provided by Coach for College was a breath of fresh air for Pierce, who spends a large portion of her time on the receiving end of teaching and coaching when in the United States. In Vietnam, Pierce became the instructor, and that gave her a sense of appreciation for those who aid her back home.
"I really enjoyed the teaching because I got to come up with a lot of new things that were different from the lesson plan, experimenting to see what worked with the kids and what they enjoyed," said Pierce. "It gave me a grander appreciation for the teachers and professors I had growing up, especially those in foreign language. It was eye opening to see how much work they have to put in the classroom controlling kids and keeping a positive disposition."
Although she was there to teach and coach, Pierce took a step back every now and then to see what she could learn from watching the kids interact with one another. As a result, she noticed how the kids possessed an attitude of putting others before themselves.
"The kids have a much bigger culture of sharing and welcoming each other. For example, they would buy a snack or treat and share it with four of their classmates rather than keeping it all to themselves," Pierce said. "That was really amazing because they have so much less than I do, but they wanted to share their things with those around them."
Following a life-changing experience, Pierce returns for her sophomore year with a refreshed perspective on her life and the world around her. One of the lessons that rose to the top of her priorities was to not take for granted the opportunities she has been given as a student-athlete at Indiana University.
"I have a greater appreciation for IU Rowing, IU Athletics as a whole and Indiana University, and I'm bringing back that appreciation for the team," Pierce said about her newfound goals for the future. "Rather than seeing it as hard work or a job, I take my daily activities as a privilege and a joy to take part in."
Another lesson that stuck with Pierce came from her experience in talking to one of the Vietnamese coaches in the Coach for College program. Pierce heard that in Vietnam, when a student chooses their desired career path at the beginning of college, they're stuck with that major for the duration of their collegiate career. Knowing that gave Pierce an appreciation for all of the aid she receives at Indiana University through academics, athletics and beyond.
"Indiana has been really amazing with this entire program and the support they have for their student-athletes. We have one of the best athletic directors and one of the best life skills programs in the entire country. They give us so many opportunities that will provide a better future for us. It's amazing to me that they care so much about us as people by helping us become not just a good student or athlete, but a complete person."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON - Maddie Pierce didn't know what awaited her in Vietnam, but the Indiana rowing sophomore knew that she had to get there.
The Cincinnati native heard about the Coach for College program through the IU Athletics Excellence Academy. Pierce admitted that she didn't think she would get selected as a freshman, but applied anyway because the program aligned with her values.
"Athletics and academics are two really big parts of my life," Pierce said when asked about her initial interest. "I've always been really into sports and was a really athletic kid, and I've always had a love for learning and learning with others. That, combined with my love for working with kids, drew me to Coach for College."
What Maddie experienced once she arrived on the other side of the world reached far beyond her expectations.
For one, the living conditions in Vietnam gave participants an escape from the comforts of home. At night, Pierce and her fellow coaches slept under mosquito nets in their three-person dorms. The bathroom in their dorms worked like one giant shower with the showerhead on the wall. The water was cold, but Pierce said her room was blessed to have water pressure. Other coaches had to use a bucket of water as their shower.
"The experience was definitely humbling for me," said Pierce. "It's amazing that people live like that and it was eye opening for me to see that I live in such luxury. We have so many blessings over here that we don't even think about, but at the same time people in countries like Vietnam live their lives without thinking about what we have."
Pierce seemed more excited by the opportunity to live differently than bothered by the lack of everyday conveniences. What really stood out to her about the three-week trip was working with the kids and seeing how they responded to teaching.
"They just wanted to learn. If we made a correction, they would immediately go to work on fixing their issue," Pierce said. "If they did something wrong on the court, they would immediately react to their mistake without giving up. That taught me to think about learning, how important new experiences and new knowledge can be."
The role reversal provided by Coach for College was a breath of fresh air for Pierce, who spends a large portion of her time on the receiving end of teaching and coaching when in the United States. In Vietnam, Pierce became the instructor, and that gave her a sense of appreciation for those who aid her back home.
"I really enjoyed the teaching because I got to come up with a lot of new things that were different from the lesson plan, experimenting to see what worked with the kids and what they enjoyed," said Pierce. "It gave me a grander appreciation for the teachers and professors I had growing up, especially those in foreign language. It was eye opening to see how much work they have to put in the classroom controlling kids and keeping a positive disposition."
Although she was there to teach and coach, Pierce took a step back every now and then to see what she could learn from watching the kids interact with one another. As a result, she noticed how the kids possessed an attitude of putting others before themselves.
"The kids have a much bigger culture of sharing and welcoming each other. For example, they would buy a snack or treat and share it with four of their classmates rather than keeping it all to themselves," Pierce said. "That was really amazing because they have so much less than I do, but they wanted to share their things with those around them."
Following a life-changing experience, Pierce returns for her sophomore year with a refreshed perspective on her life and the world around her. One of the lessons that rose to the top of her priorities was to not take for granted the opportunities she has been given as a student-athlete at Indiana University.
"I have a greater appreciation for IU Rowing, IU Athletics as a whole and Indiana University, and I'm bringing back that appreciation for the team," Pierce said about her newfound goals for the future. "Rather than seeing it as hard work or a job, I take my daily activities as a privilege and a joy to take part in."
Another lesson that stuck with Pierce came from her experience in talking to one of the Vietnamese coaches in the Coach for College program. Pierce heard that in Vietnam, when a student chooses their desired career path at the beginning of college, they're stuck with that major for the duration of their collegiate career. Knowing that gave Pierce an appreciation for all of the aid she receives at Indiana University through academics, athletics and beyond.
"Indiana has been really amazing with this entire program and the support they have for their student-athletes. We have one of the best athletic directors and one of the best life skills programs in the entire country. They give us so many opportunities that will provide a better future for us. It's amazing to me that they care so much about us as people by helping us become not just a good student or athlete, but a complete person."
Players Mentioned
Novice
/ Women's RowingFB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16