Loyola Blakefield's Demetri Madden Commits to Bellarmine Lacrosse, Joining Brother Niko in ASUN Conference

2026 Defenseman Demetri Madden Joins a Growing MIAA-to-Bellarmine Pipeline, Reuniting with His Brother Niko on the Field

Al Franyo | Dec 6, 2024

Loyola Blakefield's Demetri Madden has committed to Bellarmine lacrosse, where he will play with his brother Niko. / Photo Courtesy of Demetri Madden

The phrase “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” has become a familiar theme in MIAA Lacrosse announcements, particularly when a student-athlete joins his brother at the collegiate level. The latest chapter in this brotherly tradition comes from Loyola Blakefield. Class of 2026 defenseman Demetri Madden recently committed to Bellarmine University, where he’ll reunite with his older brother, Niko Madden, a sophomore face-off specialist for the Knights.

Demetri Madden, a standout defenseman from Loyola Blakefield’s talented 2026 class, chose Bellarmine for several key reasons. A top factor was the opportunity to share the field with his brother Niko during his freshman year, while Niko completes his senior campaign. Demetri, familiar with both the Bellarmine campus and surrounding Louisville area through frequent visits, praised Coach Andy Whitley’s philosophy, which emphasizes hard work, discipline, and life lessons.

Beyond family ties, Bellarmine's recent success under Coach Whitley played a significant role in Madden’s decision. Whitley, now entering his sixth season after signing a five-year extension, has transformed the Knights into a competitive ASUN program. Bellarmine has achieved consecutive winning seasons and back-to-back ASUN Tournament semifinal appearances in 2022 and 2023, earning recognition as one of the nation’s most improved programs.

Madden expressed excitement about joining a program on the rise and contributing to its future success. As the Knights aim for their first ASUN title and a historic NCAA Tournament appearance, Demetri Madden is eager to leave his mark both academically and athletically in scarlet and silver.

Congratulations to Demetri Madden and his family on this exciting commitment!

Published Dec 6, 2024

AL FRANYO

Al Franyo has been a die-hard fan and follower of lacrosse, especially at the high school and college levels, since the late-80s. He absolutely loves watching games, as well as talking and writing about the sport. On Facebook, he founded the College Lacrosse Discussion Page, which has well over 15,000 members, and helped found and runs the MIAA Lacrosse Discussion Page, which has nearly 5,000 members. The MIAA A Conference is one of the strongest, most competitive and exciting high school conferences in America. Three of his favorite topics include recruiting news about players making college commitments, programs taking the next steps under their respective head coaches, and programs that are so-called "sleepers" when it comes to being very good to great. Even with lacrosse growing at such a rapid pace, Franyo loves how it is still such a small, tight, and fun world. And, in many ways, it is its own culture. He began writing about his favorite sport for High School On SI in 2024. Twitter: @alfranyo