Courtney Spangler’s day starts out like many Madison College students. She gets up, showers, brushes her teeth, eats breakfast, and gets ready for school. This is where the similarities end. Like most Madison College athletes Spangler, 19, leads a double life, student by day, athlete the rest of the time.

The work to become a Madison College athlete and to stay there defines a college athlete’s life. It is an intense level of discipline and commitment, but Spangler says, “I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

For Spangler, there is work to be done, even in the off season. The games for Madison College women’s basketball begin in November, but the season’s work actually starts much sooner. From October through March, when they aren’t playing games, there are 6 a.m. conditioning and lifting sessions. Regular scrimmages are scheduled to help the athletes hone their skills.

Once the games start, practice runs from 4-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. After practice, athletes are required to attend study tables from 6-7:15 p.m. They must maintain a 2.0 GPA and carry at least 12 credits to play. The study tables are to ensure that everyone who wants to play has a chance. For Spangler, a Liberal Arts Transfer student studying towards a nursing degree, study time is a scarce commodity. Her current hurdle is her anatomy and physiology course, which requires a great deal of memorization.

“When I come home after class, practice, and study tables, all I want to is eat, and go to bed,” she said.

With games at least twice a week, some as far away as Wausau, the pace can be grueling. Spangler gives a lot of credit to her teammates for easing the stress. They set team goals in the locker room, pinpointing goals like points scored per game keeps them focused. Each game is a new chance to achieve their goal.

“We are like a family” she says. “Even if were not friends outside the court, when we step on that court we are a team, it takes all 10 of us to win.”

Ever since she learned she could play Spangler says she has loved the game of basketball.  She said that playing for Madison College is a great opportunity.

“I will have a social life for the rest of my life,” she said.

Spangler hopes to go on to play for a four-year college when she finishes her eligibility in the spring. In the meantime, she said, “I am playing with a great team, and a great coach. It has been an awesome ride so far.”