Coach Wallace has enjoyed continued progress of her program in her first two years at the helm for the Lady Patriots. Her first season she coached a fairly young and inexperienced team returning just four players from the previous season. That team gradually improved throughout the season, so much so, that the team was leading the eventual NCCAA National Champion at halftime of their Regional contest. During last season, the squad continued to improve as they placed 6th at the NCCAA National Tournament, finishing with a 19-9 record. With several new players added this year, and a Reserve squad to draw from, Coach Wallace is excited to see what the season holds as the team enters dual affiliation with the NCCAA and the NAIA. The team is now a veteran squad, who has added a few newcomers that are expected to contribute.
In her youth, Madi Johnson played, and graduated from Ash Grove High School in 2014 with a solid career as well as several accolades. While being a Lady Pirate, she and her teammates helped set the standard for future generations as she was a standout member of the only team from Ash Grove, at this point, to make an appearance at the Final Four. The Lady Pirates finished in second place in 2014. She started every game (121) in high school and was a two-time MBCA Class 3 All-State player, two-time All-Region selection, as well as a four-time All-District player.
Coach Wallace then made the step up to college basketball, first at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri (2014-15), then Evangel University in Springfield (2015-18). She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies in 2018, including being named Most Outstanding Communications graduate. She also garnered NAIA Academic All-American honors in 2018.
Graduate school followed, as Coach Wallace earned her Master’s Degree from Drury University in Communication: Organizational Leadership and Change in 2020.
Her coaching experience includes: Individual Trainer since 2016 for boys and girls, ages 10-18, working to develop player skills, court vision, and basketball IQ. She assisted the girls’ basketball program at Springfield Central High School from 2018-21 and then was an assistant at her Alma Mater, Ash Grove, this past season.
Coach Wallace, last September, married her husband, Ben Wallace. Her hobbies include spending quality time with her family and interior design.
Her favorite Bible verse is Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
