Ever since Maddison Brittain was 6 years old she wanted to play softball in college.

Everything was going according to plan until the end of her sophomore season at Brownstown Central High School when Brittain suffered a torn ACL. Depending on who she talked to, some of the words she heard were that she might never be able to play again.

“It was mentally draining because you have some people saying you might not play again,” Brittain said. “It really pushed me hard to rehab and get better.”

The injury kept Brittain at a limited role during her junior season, but once she got healthy, she started to feel like her dream was a reality again.

It all came to fruition at the end of June when Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus’ head coach Tommi Stowers reached out to Brittain.

Brittain took a visit with Stowers, and then she officially committed to play collegiate softball at IUPUC.

“The campus was really small and really tiny, and I loved it,” Brittain said. “Ever since I was little I wanted to be a college softball player. I’ve always wanted to go to a small school that has softball in it. It’s a bonus to stay at home and go to college and still be able to play softball.”

Brittain plans to commute from Brownstown for now, but she has friends on the team that have offered her a place to stay if she needs it. One of those players being her own cousin Rachel Cowan.

Brittain won’t be the only Jackson County player heading to IUPUC as Trinity Lutheran’s Ally Russell will also be on the team.

This 2023 softball squad will be the inaugural team for IUPUC, and Stowers, the first-ever Crimson Pride head coach, was recently an assistant coach on Seymour’s softball team.

Brittain just wrapped up her last travel tournament in Alabama last weekend playing with Franklin Fury. When reflecting on her years playing for the Braves, Brittain’s mind goes to the special connection she had with her teammates.

“I just had so much fun,” she said. “I’ve been playing with those girls since we were literally kids, and the team chemistry was amazing.”

Brittain isn’t the only senior from her class going to play as both Emily and Erin Singleton will be playing at the next level as well.

“It’s actually pretty exciting, especially coming from a small town,” Brittain said. “We’re all three really excited.”

Brittain hopes to pitch for the Crimson Pride and also play first base. Her favorite pitch to throw is her changeup.

The former Brave plans to report to IUPUC on Aug. 15.

“It’s amazing especially because I tore my ACL. To be told you might never play a sport again, and then you get to go play in college, it’s just a dream. It makes me very excited,” Brittain said.

Her excitement is also met with some nerves. She plans to study early education, which like softball, has been another goal Brittain has always wanted to achieve.

“I’m super excited but I am so nervous,” she said. “I’m super excited to become a better player and better athlete in general. You know as a little kid you’re like ‘oh my goodness, I want to play softball,’ and then finally you get older and realize you get to still keep playing. It’s awesome.”