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PROVO — Faith, family and football. Those were the three things that are at the forefront for McKay Madsen and his life.
Madsen, a BYU linebacker commit, is known for making big plays at the linebacker position. But what he does off the field, however, stands out just as much as his play on the field.
At the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, Madsen was given the "Man of the Year" award for his community service along with his athletic success. To Madsen and his family, serving others is a priority, especially those in need.
"The Poverello House, it's a local homeless shelter, me and my family will go there each holiday, and we'll serve food to the homeless," Madsen said. "We'll make blankets for them, and just give back in ways that I can."
Madsen, who is also an Eagle scout, attempts to also serve his high school community. At Clovis North High in Clovis, California, Madsen works with students with special needs, coordinating activities for those students to participate in from time to time.
For one particular event, Madsen uses his athleticism to his advantage, helping others learn and succeed at activities that he's used to thriving at.
"For our elementary school, we do an elementary district-wide Special Olympics every spring," Madsen said. "Because I do track, I'm able to do that. I coach that and I run that. And then we also work with the high school Special Olympians and with the high school special education program."
Madsen's service helps him also connect with his faith. He's a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and will serve his mission before enrolling at BYU in two years.
He made his commitment to the Cougars while at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, choosing BYU over Oregon and UCLA.
It was a decision that came down to the wire for Madsen, but he felt there was a sign that led him to BYU, a school his mom went to and a school his older brother and sister currently attend.
"I was just asking for signs from God, and toward the end of the week, all I could think about was BYU," Madsen said. "I kind of had imagined myself that I committed there, and I was totally at peace with that decision."
Many people were caught off guard by his decision, especially because many predicted him to commit to Oregon. But in a decision that was difficult to make, he resorted to his faith. Not only that, he saw it as an opportunity to educate others on his faith and why it's important to him.
"A lot of them (fellow All-Americans) didn't even know what BYU is. They don't know where it is," Madsen said. "I got the chance to answer a lot of questions throughout the week like, 'Why am I even considering there?' Just because it's my faith of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Madsen will take a full, two-year mission before enrolling at BYU. Like his decision to commit to the Cougars, he's serving his mission because it's best for himself, he said.
BYU runs in the family, and serving a mission runs in the family, too, so doing the same is what Madsen feels he's called to do.
