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Two life-threatening medical situations within her family kept University of Wisconsin Oshkosh basketball player Madeline Staples from running up the court her first two years of college.

Her sister’s life-threatening ATV accident and then her mom’s cancer diagnosis—coming within months of each other—had Staples reeling. She had bigger issues to deal with than missing seasons of college basketball.

“I chose not to play basketball. It was a very anxious time. I always wanted to be able to go home if something happened,” said Staples, who initially chose to attend UW-Milwaukee to be close to her family in Middleton.

Finally, in her third year of school—with her family members on the mend—she felt ready to commit to the sport she loved. She transferred to UW Oshkosh and began playing basketball as a Titan.

NCAA rules state that athletes have five years (10 semesters) to play the four seasons of their sport. Staples completed her fifth year of college last year and was resolved that her third basketball season would be her last. She attended the senior banquet last spring before learning two days later that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) granted her a “sixth” year to complete her fourth basketball season. Though she graduated last May with a psychology degree, she enrolled in graduate school and returned to the UW Oshkosh women’s basketball team this fall.

“It was very emotional,” said head basketball coach Brad Fischer, about news the waiver had been granted. “For her to be given another shot–we are excited she gets all four years (of basketball).”

Sister injured

Staples’ sister, Natalie, who is just a year younger in age, was in a horrific ATV crash in August 2010 near their home. There was extreme blood loss and Natalie’s left arm was nearly severed. She was flown by medical helicopter to UW Hospital in Madison where she endured numerous surgeries—more than 30 by recent count–and months in the hospital. There were complications that included a difficult staph infection.

“It was a blur trying to get through it,” Staples said. At the time, an older sister lived in South Carolina and a younger sister was in elementary school. Madeline and her parents were trying to hold things together.

Today, Madeline is 23; her sister Natalie, who she calls a “warrior,” is 22, and works as a fulltime nanny near Madison. Though her arm will never function the same, Natalie fulfilled her dream of being part of the basketball team at UW-Platteville for two seasons.

Mom’s diagnosis

Less than six months after the ATV accident, in January 2011, Staples’ mom, Kim, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The diagnosis was followed by surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Staples, who was in high school, remembers her mom being very sick.

“It was a crazy, crazy time,” Staples said, noting the family has endured a great deal over the past seven years.

Today, her mom is in remission and tries to attend basketball games for Madeline and youngest daughter, Claire, who is in high school.

Staples said though she doesn’t have the physical wounds like her sister and my mom, she experienced trauma in a different way.

Coach Fischer said he’s glad the NCAA looks at individual circumstances. The extension, though, is a rarity and involved hours of paperwork and documentation from Vicci Stimac, associate athletic director at UW Oshkosh. Stimac had to show the NCAA that Staples was unable to participate due to circumstances beyond her control. In this case, it was the result of a life-threatening or incapacitating injury or illness suffered by a member of Staples’ immediate family.

“It’s such a huge credit to Vicci (Stimac),” Staples said. “She got the ball rolling with me being given this extra season.”

Stimac said she believed Staples had a strong case and she is happy for the athlete who has endured so much in her personal life.

“It’s unfortunate some tough things happened in her family,” Coach Fischer said. “It takes some unique circumstances for this (extension) to even happen. They were tough health issues, so it’s nice to have some good out of it. I hope she can enjoy this last year.”

Fischer called Staples a “great leader” on the team. She is one of the first players he calls on from the bench.

“I’m super excited. . .I think it’s going to be an awesome season.”

Staples hopes to pursue a career coaching basketball at the college level. She has coached youth AAU basketball the past five summers and her graduate studies are in educational leadership.

Fisher said he intends to welcome her next season as an assistant coach on the team.

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