A new crop of Tigers is on The Plains and ready to get to work for the 2020 season. Follow along over the next few weeks as we re-introduce our newcomers through a question and answer segment with each player.
Our first member of the 2020 signing class is freshman defender Maddy Bondon. Maddy hails from Duluth, Georgia, and is a product of Peachtree Ridge High School. She played for a pair of club programs in Gwinnett Soccer Academy and Atlanta Fire United SA.
Q: Who or what inspired you to play soccer?
A: My dad inspired me to play soccer. He played soccer all through college and I was the first child so he put me in it to try it out and I've been playing ever since.
Q: What is your favorite soccer memory growing up?
A: My favorite soccer memory growing up was winning the region championship my sophomore year of high school. We scored in the last seven seconds to win the game at our home field against our rival.
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment on or off the field?
A: My biggest accomplishment was winning Super 6 for my county in Georgia my senior year of high school. It was a goal of mine since my freshman year and was definitely the highlight of my COVID-shortened season.
Q: Do you have any pre-match superstitions?
A: My pre-match superstitions are my hairstyle and the playlist I listen to. I always wear my hair in a braid that goes to a bun and I listen to the same songs before each game.
Q: What made you choose Auburn?
A: I chose Auburn because of the family atmosphere, the great coaching staff and the team chemistry. They are all unmatched compared to any other program.
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: My favorite Auburn tradition is the Iron Bowl. The hype around the game is like no other, and the Jordan-Hare atmosphere is incredible.
Q: What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
A: I am most excited about getting to play in the SEC alongside some of the best players in the country.
Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
A: If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life it would be chicken parmesan with a side of pasta. I am Italian, so you can never go wrong with some chicken parm.
Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
A: If I could have any superpower I would choose teleportation because I would be able to go anywhere I wanted without having to spend the time it takes to get there.
Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show?
A: My favorite TV show is Quantico. I have a side interest in the FBI, so watching what goes on and how people do their job interests me.
Q: What major do you plan to pursue and what do you want to do with it?
A: I plan to pursue a business degree and eventually work in the management side of a professional sports team.
Q: What are your goals during your time at Auburn?
A: My goals include training to become the best player I can, contributing to win a SEC Championship and graduating with a 4.0 GPA and a business degree.
Q: What do you hope to do when your playing days are over?
A: When my playing days are over, I hope to start working with a sports team to gain experience and travel the world with my significant other.