The drive from Portage to Madison is just about 40 miles down Interstate 90/94/39, yet for some, that short journey can last a lifetime.

Such was the case for All-American women's basketball player Erin Voelker, who is both a native and current resident of the city of more than 10,000 people.

And few can claim to have had as much enjoyment playing basketball at Madison College. The statistics jump out right from the start: most points scored in a season, third on the all-time scoring list, the top shot blocker in WolfPack history, number one - and seven - in blocks during a season, the second best rebounding year in program history, and the third highest rebounding total in a career.

But to understand the full scope of what two years in the capital city can mean, all you need to do is ask.

"Oh where do I start? I met some of my best friends at Madison College. Playing my first year was great, but my second year was one of the best years of my life. I got to be on a team where we were close on and off the court. We were 32-2 on the season and got to go to New York for [NJCAA Division III] Nationals for the second [straight] time. When people say they like to relive their glory days; that year was mine."

After leading the WolfPack to back-to-back Wisconsin Technical College Conference championships and to fourth and third place finishes at Nationals, Voelker followed her family to their school of choice: UW-Eau Claire.

Her heart, however, stayed in Madison. "Madison College was like my family, everyone from my teammates, coaches, the Athletic Department. I missed that at Eau Claire."

So after one semester of playing with the Blugolds, she transferred back to Madison College to finish school and earn a degree in recreation management.

She currently works in the Marketing Division of the Wyndham Glacier Canyon Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Not married yet and without kids of her own, Voelker says she has "great substitutions in my two nieces Kaitlyn (9 years) and Brooklyn (8 months), and my nephew Will (7 years)." Plus, she enjoys time with her Sheltie, Baylee.

"I am still really good friends with some of my teammates. Lauren Lanza, Cassie Paulsen, and Kim Joshua are some of my good friends. Cassie and I just got back from Lauren's wedding in September and Kim just had twin boys who are both adorable. Cassie is whipping other youngsters into shape as one of the basketball coaches at Stoughton High School. As for Coach [Steve] Bentin, if we can catch him when he is not on a cruise or laying on a beach somewhere, we will have a reunion."

Voelker gives large credit to Lanza and Bentin for her All-American honor, saying Lanza was the best and most unselfish point guard, while Bentin was simply "the best coach I ever had."

And that's saying something, since Voelker praises her own mother for teaching her the game of basketball, coaching her in elementary school, and continuing as her personal trainer during the off seasons.

"Madison College gave me a lot! It gave me some great friends, a great experience, and some memories I won't forget. I still love following games and coming to watch when I can. Go WolfPack!"