Madison Maida joined Columbia in September 2023 as an assistant coach to oversee pitching for the Lions. Her first season as assistant coach saw Columbia finish with a 16-24 overall record, including a 9-11 mark in Ivy League play in 2024. Columbia defeated Princeton in the opening weekend of Ivy play for the first series victory over the Tigers since 2019. Cami Neal and Sarah Mikami were named First Team All-Ivy League as six Lions were recognized on the 2024 All-Ivy League team. The 2024 team led the Ivy League in team GPA and ranked 15th nationally in overall GPA. 14 Lions were named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes.
“I am super excited to bring Madison back to New York City,” Teague stated. “She obviously had a great playing career at St. Johns. Additionally, through many conversations, Madison has been able to show her high IQ for the game, specifically for coaching pitchers. She has a wealth of knowledge and she is also excited to get started with our pitching staff! She is the perfect addition to round out our staff.”
Maida joined the Columbia staff after an impressive playing career at St. John’s. Maida was named the Big East Pitcher of the Year and selected as a first team all-conference pitcher in 2019. She was a six-time pitcher of the week honoree during her career and was recognized as part of the weekly honor roll three times during her career.
“I want to thank Coach Teague and the whole athletic department for giving me the opportunity to coach at such a prestigious school,” Maida said. “I know Columbia has such a rich history in athletics and I will work tirelessly to continue that tradition. Softball has always been a huge part of my life and although I have been down a few different paths since playing in college, I knew it was all leading me back to the game I love most. I’m excited for the opportunity to step back on the college softball field as a coach and I’m truly looking forward to working with and shaping the pitching staff. I can’t wait to get started.”
As a senior for the Red Storm, Maida served as a team captain and was responsible for coordinating and scheduling team events. She also served as a liaison between coaches and players and effectively managed communications between 19 team members.
In addition to her playing experience, Maida has also worked as a pitching instructor and a softball instructor. From 2014-17, Maida worked as a softball instructor in Hampton, Virginia, where she served as a mentor during camps and taught pitching skills to young girls. She also coached a little league softball team and conducted individual pitching lessons.
After graduating from St. John’s, Maida worked as a pitching instructor in Farmingdale, New York. She gave one-on-one instruction in the form of softball pitching lessons and also held group trainings. Most recently, Maida has worked as a pitching instructor in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She has given individual and group lessons, while also coaching the facility’s 14u club team.
Maida graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from St. John’s in 2019. She added a master’s in criminology and justice from St. John’s in 2020.
