Schiller’s Comeback From Major Injury

It was nearly midway through the first quarter of a road game against Binghamton in December, when Madison Schiller ’26 heard her name called.

The senior out of Wyckoff, N.J., had logged many minutes across her Colgate career, either as a starter or reserve. But on this night, getting the nod from her head coach to enter the game had much more significance.

It was Schiller’s first game since an ACL tear on Feb. 17, 2025 ended her 2024-25 season, setting up a long and challenging period of recovery that tested her resolve and taught her new things about herself.

When the moment to check into the game finally arrived, it felt odd — almost surreal. It had been so long since she last played that she felt jitters.

But those feelings vanished the instant the referee blew the whistle for play to resume. As a guard tasked with running the offense, Schiller had no time to think of anything other than helping the Raiders secure a win.

“I definitely got thrown right into it, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Schiller said. “I definitely was a little bit surprised. I had no idea when they wanted to put me in. I was happy whenever I got on the court.”

Schiller played 20 minutes on that night, scoring 10 points with four rebounds and an assist. But most of all, she had passed another test in her comeback from a major injury.

“I was definitely proud of myself that I got back out there and I was able to feel comfortable in my role,” she said.

Now, with a few weeks left in the regular season, Schiller has played big minutes. Her quickness and abilities as a defender are back to where they used to be. Physically she feels fine.

Her focus is no longer on her recovery, but on her new roles with the team. She’s a co-captain, trying to help lead a team that lost four seniors last year and has had to make many adjustments while under the guidance of a new coaching staff. She’s also taken on a bigger offensive role.

Her focus is on winning games and ending the regular season on a positive note. After nine months of hard work, patience, and endless physical therapy, her focus is on basketball, as it should be.

But it took a lot to get there. 

Schiller was having her best season as a Raider. 

Colgate Women’s Basketball had climbed to second place in the conference standings with a handful of games left on the schedule. Schiller had seen the team improve each season since her first year, and now they looked primed for a strong run in the postseason.

Two days after a home win over Boston University, the Raiders were running one-on-one drills at practice. 

Schiller was on defense. She completed the drill, but knew she could do a better job of guarding the opposing player. The drill was repeated. That’s when her body went one way, her knee the other.

“I definitely heard a pop,” she said. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t think it was to the extent of what it was. I wasn’t in pain. It was more discomfort. I’ve gone through rolling ankles and things like that. I was hoping I could tape it up and play the rest of the year.” 

But an MRI confirmed she had an ACL tear. Recovery time: eight to 12 months. Her season was over. 

“The injury hit me at a tough time,” she said. “We had a few games left. We were having a great year. We were second in the Patriot League and we had high aspirations. They could still win without me, but I wanted to be part of it.

“Having that taken away, I definitely faced a little bit of a mental crisis.”

She had surgery in mid-March. Two days later, she began physical therapy. She had to walk with a single crutch for three weeks.

Progress came slowly. While patience was never her strong suit, Schiller said she had to learn to trust the recovery process, knowing that eventually she’d see results.

“I was often told, ‘You’ll feel good, you’ll get to that point,’” she said. “I almost did not believe people.”

Support came from all directions. Her parents, teammates, trainers, and coaches all played a role in helping Schiller with her comeback.

But another key part of her recovery happened in a way Schiller had not planned. In the summer of 2025, she began an internship at Ernst & Young (EY), a professional services firm that offers various services such as auditing and consulting. She worked from the company's New York City office.

While her physical therapy continued through the summer, Schiller was focused on her future after Colgate.

“As much as I love basketball, there are things that are bigger than the game,” she said. “I had to think about my career. I put my mind on other things. It helped with my recovery.”

Schiller, an economics major, worked in financial services risk management. She was given various small jobs such as creating Excel and PowerPoint documents. But the opportunity to learn from others was invaluable. The experience allowed her to learn the ins and outs of the trade.

In the process, she made an impression with the firm. As her internship came to a close, she was offered a position in the business consulting division, set to start a few months after graduation. The job will involve helping financial institutions identify and manage risk in order for them to operate efficiently.

“I am beyond excited to have been offered a job at EY,” she said. “My internship was an unforgettable experience and I cannot wait to be back full time. To start, the strong work environment and culture among teams was something that stood out to me over the summer. In addition, the work is fulfilling and replicates many skills that I have gained throughout my time as a Colgate student-athlete.”

Schiller said her Colgate education prepared her for the new role in different ways. Through a personalized liberal arts education, she gained soft skills necessary for consulting work — skills such as communication, problem solving, and teamwork. 

“With constant class participation and group projects, I am able to effectively work with a team and communicate my thoughts,” she said. “In addition, my economics major has allowed me to view the economy as a whole and therefore my skill set remains adaptable for various types of work.” 

When the fall semester kicked off, Schiller rejoined the team. While she was limited to light basketball activities, she continued to inch closer to the moment when she was cleared to play, which came a few days before the Binghamton game.

Schiller’s recovery proved to be as tough as she expected. But she came out of it as a better person and with a career waiting for her after Colgate.

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