What’s in a name? For Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen and his siblings, decades of baseball history.
Madsen, a redshirt sophomore with the Broncos, is one of six children born to Eric and Jessica. All are named after renowned baseball stars.
Madsen’s first and middle names are a nod to two Hall of Famers -- pitcher Greg Maddux and shortstop Derek Jeter. Before Madsen’s birth on Aug. 1, 2003, his mother Jessica actually watched from the hospital as Greg tossed five innings of two-hit ball for the Dodgers against the Braves. However, the timing was purely coincidental -- his parents already had his name picked out before then.
Madsen has four brothers -- Mick (named after Mickey Mantle), McGwire (Mark McGwire), Mays (Willie Mays), Murphy (Dale Murphy) -- and one sister, Macee Jo (Joe DiMaggio).
But the family’s connections to the baseball diamond don’t stop there. Madsen’s father, Eric, was a longtime college baseball coach, serving as the head coach at Eastern Utah from 1997-2003 and Utah Valley from 2009-21.
Though Maddux Madsen grew up immersed in baseball lore and played the sport in high school, his athletic future lies on the gridiron. He has excelled in his first year as the Broncos’ starting quarterback, leading the team to a 12-1 record while amassing 2,714 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also contributed on the ground with 224 rushing yards and five touchdowns.