Our final inductees into our Hall of Fame this year are “Special Contributors” Daryl and Sue Madison.   

Daryl and Sue started attending Iowa Lakes Athletic Events in the mid 1980s and shortly after that Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Grems asked them to participate in the “Adopt a Laker Program.”  Their first adopted player was Wade Jones from Armstrong.   

The Madisons hosted between 20 and 30 student athletes through the Adopt a Laker program.  Shortly after practices started they would get matched up with student athletes.  The Madisons shared two players with Chuck and Sue Tostenson.  They would go out to eat after games or have the students over to eat at their house.  Daryl and Sue would sometimes give them rides to and from the bus station in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  They are still in touch with about 10 or so.  Through the program Daryl and Sue were able to get to know so many fine young people, learning about them and watching them mature and succeed.   

Troy Larson has seen the impact that Daryl and Sue have had and wanted to share this, “Daryl and Sue have had a tremendous impact on Iowa Lakes athletic department.  Initially they served as host families for men’s basketball players.  In this role they impacted numerous student athletes including myself.  Their home was always open if you needed a place to hang out.  Sue always had something good to eat.  Daryl was always around to have a good conversation.  Sometimes you didn’t like what came out of his mouth but you always knew where you stood with him.  They both had a way about them that made you feel comfortable.  I know numerous student athletes appreciated the environment that Daryl and Sue provided.  They weren’t pushy and allowed athletes to be themselves.  Once student athletes knew they could trust them the relationship grew. There are numerous student athletes to this day who refer to Daryl and Sue as ma, pops, or parents.  I know the impact was great.” 

Daryl and Sue have had so many lasting relationships with so many Lakers but there are a few who stand out.  They continued to watch Danny Beard play at Morningside.  He spent two Christmases with the Madisons as he didn’t have time to get to Milwaukee between holiday tournaments and resuming basketball practice.  The Mosely brothers were very talented athletes who unfortunately failed to return to Iowa Lakes after going home for spring break.  Marcus Owens was very special as of course Troy Larson and Scott and Sarah Stokes were as well.   

There are so many coaches the Madisons have gotten to know over the years.  Starting with Bob Grems then Darin Moeller, Jason Vande Brake, Troy Larson, Scott Stokes, and Katie Larson King.  They watched them play at Iowa Lakes and had special relationships with them as players and coaches.  They have especially enjoyed watching and working with Ashley Martin.  She has done such a good job building the women’s program.   

Teams that have been especially memorable include the teams with Johnny Perkins, Danny Beard, and Kevin Bozeman.  The first team to go to the Nationals in Bay City, Michigan was a favorite with Troy, Marcus Owens, Darin Moeller, “Spook.”  The Madisons rode on the bus with the team that year.  Another memorable team was the 2013 team that went to Nationals.  

One memory that stands out is the semi final game against Iowa Central where the Lakers were behind 10 or more with less than 2 minutes to play.  The team ended up tying the game to go into overtime.  There might have been two overtimes.  The Lakers won the game, won the next one and they were off to Nationals again.  Daryl and Sue get a lot of joy from watching young people come to Iowa Lakes, maybe their first time away from home, and watching them mature.   

Daryl has really enjoyed getting to know the students and coaching staff over the past 30 years of driving but for the college.  One memory that stood out for Daryl was Julie Williams talking his ear off in the middle of the night while he was driving.   

As one of the coaches Daryl drove, Troy Larson had some insights, “Daryl drove bus for years for numerous coaches – Bob Grems, Darin Moeller, Jason Vandebrake, and Troy Larson, along with women’s basketball coaches Brian Radtke, Nicole Bullock, and Ashley Martin.  Darryl was basically an extra assistant coach on the road.  He knew the routines of the coaches and where to take the teams within the ICCAC.  He would always grab young student athletes that were having a difficult time receiving coaching and encourage them in the only Madison way possible – “stop being a dumb ass and listen to what the coach is saying.  You have a chance to be a good player and coach likes you but you have to do what he is asking of you”.  Basically what the coach wanted to say to the kid but maybe couldn’t.” 

Sue has really enjoyed getting to know students and learning about them when they stop by Miss Sue’s desk to get some candy and talk.   

Ashley Martin added, “Sue was awesome in her role on campus with how she interacted with our student athletes.  She had a candy jar that was second to none.  All the athletes would raid it on a daily basis.  I’m not sure Sue ever took any money home from Iowa Lakes as the majority of it was spent on candy.  She also communicated with all athletes and made them feel at home and that they were a part of Iowa Lakes.  This is so important.  Also she attends every game and can always be heard saying REBOUND as loud as she can.  I know for me coming to Iowa Lakes as a GA she was really somebody that went out of her way to make me feel welcome. And then coming back as a head coach it was so great to have that connection with her. Daryl and Sue have been a huge support system in my time at Iowa Lakes. Very thankful for them.  

Coach Bob Grems had this to say about Daryl and Sue, “It is an honor to congratulate Daryl and Sue for being selected as inductees into the Laker Athletic Hall of Fame. They have been friends of Lakers Athletics for over 30 years. Daryl, as a bus driver for hundreds of Laker Athletic teams trips and Sue as a staff member and cheering voice in the stands for the Laker Men’s and Women’s basketball home games. But more importantly, both of their connections with many of our student-athletes over the years on a personal level - as parents in our adoptive family program, as community members, Lyft drivers, providers of a helping hand in times of need, and being non-judgmental guidance counselors/friends/family. While their contributions were usually not noticeable to others, believe me, they were definitely appreciated by the coaches and players they have come in contact with. Daryl and Sue, you are very deserving of being in this year’s inductee class. On behalf of the coaches, players and myself - congratulations and thank you for being involved with Laker Athletics!” 

Daryl and Sue enjoy good athletic competition but watching the Lakers is like going to watch a family member play or coach.  It feels like one big family.   

The Madison’s consider this such a big honor.  They feel that Iowa Lakes has given them so much joy over the years and they wanted to thank the committee for this honor.   

Congratulations Daryl and Sue Madison on being inducted into the Iowa Lakes Hall of Fame.   

Our final inductees into our Hall of Fame this year are “Special Contributors” Daryl and Sue Madison.   

Daryl and Sue started attending Iowa Lakes Athletic Events in the mid 1980s and shortly after that Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Grems asked them to participate in the “Adopt a Laker Program.”  Their first adopted player was Wade Jones from Armstrong.   

The Madisons hosted between 20 and 30 student athletes through the Adopt a Laker program.  Shortly after practices started they would get matched up with student athletes.  The Madisons shared two players with Chuck and Sue Tostenson.  They would go out to eat after games or have the students over to eat at their house.  Daryl and Sue would sometimes give them rides to and from the bus station in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  They are still in touch with about 10 or so.  Through the program Daryl and Sue were able to get to know so many fine young people, learning about them and watching them mature and succeed.   

Troy Larson has seen the impact that Daryl and Sue have had and wanted to share this, “Daryl and Sue have had a tremendous impact on Iowa Lakes athletic department.  Initially they served as host families for men’s basketball players.  In this role they impacted numerous student athletes including myself.  Their home was always open if you needed a place to hang out.  Sue always had something good to eat.  Daryl was always around to have a good conversation.  Sometimes you didn’t like what came out of his mouth but you always knew where you stood with him.  They both had a way about them that made you feel comfortable.  I know numerous student athletes appreciated the environment that Daryl and Sue provided.  They weren’t pushy and allowed athletes to be themselves.  Once student athletes knew they could trust them the relationship grew. There are numerous student athletes to this day who refer to Daryl and Sue as ma, pops, or parents.  I know the impact was great.” 

Daryl and Sue have had so many lasting relationships with so many Lakers but there are a few who stand out.  They continued to watch Danny Beard play at Morningside.  He spent two Christmases with the Madisons as he didn’t have time to get to Milwaukee between holiday tournaments and resuming basketball practice.  The Mosely brothers were very talented athletes who unfortunately failed to return to Iowa Lakes after going home for spring break.  Marcus Owens was very special as of course Troy Larson and Scott and Sarah Stokes were as well.   

There are so many coaches the Madisons have gotten to know over the years.  Starting with Bob Grems then Darin Moeller, Jason Vande Brake, Troy Larson, Scott Stokes, and Katie Larson King.  They watched them play at Iowa Lakes and had special relationships with them as players and coaches.  They have especially enjoyed watching and working with Ashley Martin.  She has done such a good job building the women’s program.   

Teams that have been especially memorable include the teams with Johnny Perkins, Danny Beard, and Kevin Bozeman.  The first team to go to the Nationals in Bay City, Michigan was a favorite with Troy, Marcus Owens, Darin Moeller, “Spook.”  The Madisons rode on the bus with the team that year.  Another memorable team was the 2013 team that went to Nationals.  

One memory that stands out is the semi final game against Iowa Central where the Lakers were behind 10 or more with less than 2 minutes to play.  The team ended up tying the game to go into overtime.  There might have been two overtimes.  The Lakers won the game, won the next one and they were off to Nationals again.  Daryl and Sue get a lot of joy from watching young people come to Iowa Lakes, maybe their first time away from home, and watching them mature.   

Daryl has really enjoyed getting to know the students and coaching staff over the past 30 years of driving but for the college.  One memory that stood out for Daryl was Julie Williams talking his ear off in the middle of the night while he was driving.   

As one of the coaches Daryl drove, Troy Larson had some insights, “Daryl drove bus for years for numerous coaches – Bob Grems, Darin Moeller, Jason Vandebrake, and Troy Larson, along with women’s basketball coaches Brian Radtke, Nicole Bullock, and Ashley Martin.  Darryl was basically an extra assistant coach on the road.  He knew the routines of the coaches and where to take the teams within the ICCAC.  He would always grab young student athletes that were having a difficult time receiving coaching and encourage them in the only Madison way possible – “stop being a dumb ass and listen to what the coach is saying.  You have a chance to be a good player and coach likes you but you have to do what he is asking of you”.  Basically what the coach wanted to say to the kid but maybe couldn’t.” 

Sue has really enjoyed getting to know students and learning about them when they stop by Miss Sue’s desk to get some candy and talk.   

Ashley Martin added, “Sue was awesome in her role on campus with how she interacted with our student athletes.  She had a candy jar that was second to none.  All the athletes would raid it on a daily basis.  I’m not sure Sue ever took any money home from Iowa Lakes as the majority of it was spent on candy.  She also communicated with all athletes and made them feel at home and that they were a part of Iowa Lakes.  This is so important.  Also she attends every game and can always be heard saying REBOUND as loud as she can.  I know for me coming to Iowa Lakes as a GA she was really somebody that went out of her way to make me feel welcome. And then coming back as a head coach it was so great to have that connection with her. Daryl and Sue have been a huge support system in my time at Iowa Lakes. Very thankful for them.  

Coach Bob Grems had this to say about Daryl and Sue, “It is an honor to congratulate Daryl and Sue for being selected as inductees into the Laker Athletic Hall of Fame. They have been friends of Lakers Athletics for over 30 years. Daryl, as a bus driver for hundreds of Laker Athletic teams trips and Sue as a staff member and cheering voice in the stands for the Laker Men’s and Women’s basketball home games. But more importantly, both of their connections with many of our student-athletes over the years on a personal level - as parents in our adoptive family program, as community members, Lyft drivers, providers of a helping hand in times of need, and being non-judgmental guidance counselors/friends/family. While their contributions were usually not noticeable to others, believe me, they were definitely appreciated by the coaches and players they have come in contact with. Daryl and Sue, you are very deserving of being in this year’s inductee class. On behalf of the coaches, players and myself - congratulations and thank you for being involved with Laker Athletics!” 

Daryl and Sue enjoy good athletic competition but watching the Lakers is like going to watch a family member play or coach.  It feels like one big family.   

The Madison’s consider this such a big honor.  They feel that Iowa Lakes has given them so much joy over the years and they wanted to thank the committee for this honor.   

Congratulations Daryl and Sue Madison on being inducted into the Iowa Lakes Hall of Fame.