Meet Ohio's biggest fan

ball and softball but recently found love for another sport.

Mady got her first glimpse of hockey during a youth league game at Bird Arena in the fall. However, she didn’t know how much they would like it until she arrived. The sport entertained her even at the beginner level, so she decided to try a more fast-paced college game.

After her first Ohio game in December, she was hooked.

Ohio hockey games quickly became an OBrien family tradition every Saturday. Whenever the Bobcats played at home, they were there. Not only did they fall more in love with the game, but they also fell in love with the team and the atmosphere at Bird Arena. Mady quickly became one of the Bobcats’ biggest fans.

“It’s pretty exciting to watch the college games because they are more intense,” Mady said.

On Feb. 11, She had the opportunity to attend Ohio’s game against Robert Morris with the Diabetes Institute at Ohio University. They gave children with Type I Diabetes free admission into the game and allowed them into Ohio’s locker room for pictures and autographs.

Collin Felton saw the kids' excitement and wanted to do something nice for them. He asked Ohio coach Lionel Mauron if they could meet the team. Mauron said yes, and it made Mady's day.

"We got her in the locker room and immediately, she just had the biggest smile," Felton said. "I was so happy we were allowed to do that."

During the week of Ohio's final series, Mady underwent stereo electroencephalography. It was a minimally-invasive procedure where doctors planted 17 electrodes into the right side of her brain. She spent many days in the hospital recovering and, unfortunately, could not attend Ohio's last game.

When the Bobcats found out that Mady could not attend, they wanted to do something special for her. Felton and Ash arranged for Mady to interact with players on FaceTime after the game, and she gave them fist bumps over the phone as they entered the locker room.

"That was really exciting for her because that kind of made her feel like she was still a part of their last game," Tiffany said. After the game, Felton and the Bobcats wanted to show Mady they were there for her every step of the way, even if she wasn't in attendance. The team worked together to make her a card and sent it to her. They love how much she's supported them this season, so they wanted to support her.

"If she's that dedicated to us, then we need to show how much we appreciate her," Felton said.

All of Ohio, especially Felton, are truly inspired by Mady's resilience. The team sees her strength and wishes her the best of luck in her recovery.

"Everything she has to go through, it's more than I've ever had to," Felton said. "It's amazing she has the strength to go through this."

@MOLLY_BURCHARD8

MB712319@OHIO.EDU