On The Plains with Maddy Bondon: 'I know my legacy will extend beyond the soccer field'

AUBURN, Ala.- “This journey has not been easy but worth it in every aspect. I have made countless friends who have turned into sisters, and have tuned into my passion for becoming a great leader.”

For graduate student Maddy Bondon, the college soccer experience has been a transformative journey marked by leadership, passion, and most importantly, the forging of lifelong friendships.

From the very beginning, Auburn checked all of Bondon’s boxes.

“I chose to play soccer at Auburn because it felt like home. I felt like I fit well with all the players and the coaching staff, and being from the South, I wanted to go to an SEC school with the big sports experience."

The Duluth, Georgia, native has been lucky to have the support of her family close by throughout her college career. Their presence has been a constant source of encouragement and comfort, allowing her to navigate the challenges of higher education with greater confidence. 

“First and foremost, my family has been my biggest support system. I think they have only missed a handful of games since the beginning of my college career."

Bondon’s parents, Morgan and Cassie, are regulars at the Auburn Soccer Complex and key members of the parent team, which brings loads of energy and positivity to each game, each week. 

She has also found a new sense of family in Auburn through relationships with her teammates, especially her 2020 first-year class. The bonds Bondon formed with her teammates have become the heart and soul of her college experience. 

“We all came in during Covid together and have fought through adversity together. We have continued to help each other through all the good and difficult times, too.” 

The team's bond extends far beyond the soccer field, creating a support system that has helped Bondon through personal challenges, academic stress and the ups and downs of being a college athlete. 

“All those girls from the 2020 class will be at my wedding.”

Throughout her collegiate career, Bondon has played a vital leadership role on the soccer field. At Auburn, she consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both her team and personal growth. While athletic achievements are exciting, she is most proud of being voted team captain.

 “I came here and wanted my impact to reach beyond just the soccer field. Over the last four years, I devoted myself to becoming a great leader.”

When she first joined the team as a freshman, she was in an environment filled with established players and existing team dynamics. As a newcomer, she had to navigate the delicate balance between asserting herself and respecting the team's existing structure.

“Finding my role on the team was one of the most challenging aspects of my college career, but through those around me supporting me, I have felt fulfilled with myself, whether on or off the field.”

Being in graduate school has presented Bondon with a new set of challenges, significantly different from those she faced as an undergraduate student-athlete. The rigorous academic demands of advanced coursework and her continued commitment to soccer have required her to develop more time management skills and resilience. She continues to navigate these with the support of her family, teammates and coaches.

During her time at Auburn, Bondon has achieved high levels of success both on and off the field. 

She was voted team captain in 2023 and won the Auburn Soccer Spirit Award in 2022. She graduates with two degrees from Auburn, including an MBA. Furthermore, throughout her college career, she has been a recurring member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and the Athletic Director's Honor Roll. 

Her most significant advice to those dreaming of competing at a high level is simple: “Always continue to believe in yourself. Everything happens for a reason. Trust the process.”