Alumna produces content for prestigious Laver Cup tennis event

Whether covering hockey or tennis, Madison Golden enjoys sports-centered storytelling.

Originally from Colorado, Golden had heard of St. Cloud State University from following the University of Denver, a fellow member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

"I grew up in a big sports family. We were a big hockey family. My younger brother played. I always knew that I wanted to go to a college that had a hockey team," she said. "I had heard of St. Cloud State, and then once we saw the broadcast facility on my college tour, I knew — it was like, 'This is it.'"

Golden enrolled in SCSU's mass communications program with an emphasis on broadcast journalism, and worked with Husky Productions and UTVS. She worked in everything from graphics to producing and working on-camera.

"I really thoroughly loved my time at St. Cloud State. I'm so honored that I got to go there," she said. "It's such a hidden gem that I feel people do not give enough credit to. I always will defend it forever, because it just gives you so much. There's so many things you can do there."

Golden graduated in 2019 before moving to Michigan to work as an in-arena host and reporter for the Muskegon Lumberjacks United States Hockey League team. After moving back home to Colorado when the height of the COVID-19 pandemic paused most sporting events, she ventured into the world of professional tennis. She worked as a multimedia journalist for the app TennisONE, freelanced for a time, and then joined the Laver Cup team.

Founded in 2017, the Laver Cup is an Association of Tennis Professionals tour event that typically occurs two weeks after the U.S. Open, and is the ATP tour's only team event. It follows a similar model as the Ryder Cup but for tennis — pitting a team of European men's tennis pros against a team from the rest of the world. Six of the top players make up each team in the annual competition, and the location changes each year. The tournament is named after tennis legend Rod Laver, and was started in part by fellow tennis icon Roger Federer.

Golden is a social media manager for the Laver Cup organization — managing publication, working on creative content and videos, coordinating with Federer's team and covering the event itself. She enjoys using content and interviews to bring fans closer to players and the moments that make the tournament special. Through thoughtful storytelling, she looks to humanize athletes and make one the biggest events in professional tennis more engaging worldwide.

"I think it's really special to be able to tell the stories of these amazing athletes and not just the athletes as a whole — but our event as a whole, because we are so unique and special. It's three days, but we work all year on it," she said. "Everything that goes into the behind the scenes and to be able to help be part of that narrative and story has been really cool. We're a very small team, but mighty. It's been a really cool experience. And I hope that we have a lasting impact, not just on the ATP tour and the calendar, but as an event — a sporting event as a whole, what we can do and set the precedent for others."

Golden encouraged those passionate about broadcasting and sports media to keep an open mind and be versatile.

"I was very set on being on-camera. I thought that was the only thing I would ever want to do. It's a very competitive field and it's hard. I would say to others to broaden your mind a little bit and understand that while — yes, on-camera stuff is great and I still am able to do interviews with my job, which is great and that's what I love and thrive doing — broaden your mind and be willing to try some other things," she said. "Social media is another competitive field, but also a great outlet for storytelling. To any current students: the more you can do with UTVS, HP, KVSC, writing — everything you can get your hands on is super helpful. Diversify yourself."

While she mainly focused on covering hockey while at SCSU, Golden appreciated the foundation those experiences provided for her current role.

"We got to do so many cool things while I was at St. Cloud State. I feel like all the skills I was able to learn throughout the four years and all the hands-on experience has allowed me to create my own career path in a sense, but still stay on the media side and storytelling," she said. "It's been really special and I'm just grateful that I was able to cover hockey in that way and honestly venture out into a new sport. Tennis is something that I always enjoyed watching, but never thought I would cover.

"I'm very happy with where I'm at."