The old adage is that records are meant to be broken. And in the case of Patrick Houlihan's mark at Madison College, that was just fine with him.

Houlihan played soccer for Madison College in 2000 and 2002, leading the WolfPack to Wisconsin Technical College Conference and NJCAA Region XIII titles both years.

As a freshman, he tallied 15 goals en route to a 12-2 record, and two years later, the Madison, Wisconsin, native racked up 15 more goals on a 14-5-1 squad. While both teams suffered the same season ending fate in the NJCAA District C Championship Game at Breese Stevens Field, Houlihan had rewritten the program's history books.

Houlihan's 30 career goals established a new program record at Madison College.

"I had no clue where I stood in program history when I left," recalls the two-time all-conference and all-region selection, as well as all-state honoree. I tried my best to be competitive and help the team however I could. Awards and records were nice, but never the reason I played."

Fast forward 15 years and Houlihan's record was being challenged. Two-time All-American Toby Andrews surpassed the long-standing record and finished with 33 goals to sit as the new all-time leading scorer in WolfPack history.

"I was extremely excited for the program and for [Toby] when he broke the record. Every member of the team contributes to every goal and assist, so I knew the team was doing really well for someone to put up those kind of numbers."

Now rewind back to 2002, and while the Madison Edgewood High School graduate was adding his name to the record books for goals, assists, and total points, something even bigger and more significant was happening.

"Much like any other new college student, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I took some liberal arts classes while playing soccer in 2000, but wasn't committed to college at that time…I knew I wanted to play soccer. I was drawn to the college due to its competitive soccer team, and proximity to friends and family."

When he returned a year later, not only was the soccer team ready to welcome the talented scorer back to the pitch, but Madison College was ready to leave its mark on yet another student-athlete.

Also on the men's soccer roster in 2002 was one female, Lindsey Weirick, a freshman defender from Eagle River, Wisconsin. Weirick was enrolled in the college's fire service program, which she continuously told Houlihan about.

"I was very intrigued by this career field, and how it mirrored the teamwork and discipline learned through soccer and other team sports. After several talks with [Lindsey], and visits to the training facility at Madison College, I chose to enroll in the fire service technician course that offered Firefighter I, II, and Emergency Medical Technician. This program was the springboard I needed for my life at that time, and it provided a path towards a fire service career."

Not long after completing his training and education, Houlihan became a full-time firefighter with the Des Moines (IA) Fire Department. He has been there for 11 years, with a current rank of Apparatus Engineer/Paramedic. His responsibilities include driving the fire department apparatus and acting as a station officer when needed. He additionally serves on the Technical Rescue Team and is the department Peer Fitness Coordinator.

Houlihan returned to school in 2010 to earn an Associate's Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science Administration from Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration Degree at Drake University in Des Moines.

Houlihan and his wife of ten years, Sara, live in Woodward, a suburb of Des Moines, with their dog and three cats.

Though he did not play collegiate soccer after 2002, Houlihan did play three years in the Madison Men's Premier League. After moving to Iowa, he took up ice hockey and has been a fixture of the men's leagues around central Iowa for a decade.

"I wish I would have found it earlier. It is very similar to soccer, but much more challenging and more forgiving on the body. I recently started playing [soccer] again after a hiatus of several years. It's still fun, but my body does not react the way it used to."

Living more than four hours away from Madison and one state over, Houlihan says it can be hard to keep track of the current WolfPack teams. Periodic check-ins, however, have informed him of how competitive the men's soccer program remains and how vastly improved the facilities are.

Houlihan still fondly remembers building strong bonds with teammates on road trips and at weekend tournaments, bonds that he credits for the team's overall success. The same bonds that, 16 years later, he builds with his fellow firefighters as they prepare and execute their duties to keep the world around them safe.

"Attending Madison College and playing soccer was the turning point in my life. I found my passion for the fire service and was able to play soccer at a very competitive level. I have gained lifelong friends through my time at Madison College and still stay in touch with several team members."

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