In June 2026, John Madigan passed away unexpectedly. John was a former BORP power soccer athlete, head coach of the BORP Shockers power soccer team from 2020 to 2026, and an instrumental member of the BORP community.
He was recruited as an athlete to the BORP Earthquakes power soccer team in 2009 by teammate Kendra Scalia. Kendra spotted John during their morning commutes to work, but could never catch up to him until they finally ended up in a BART elevator together, where she made the pitch to try out power soccer. Kendra explains that John’s “analytical mind translated quickly into understanding power soccer.” Former BORP Adult Sports Director Jonathan Newman reflects that, as an athlete, John was a “consummate teammate” with “no ego,” who always put the team first. After a long career as an athlete on the BORP Earthquakes. John was asked to lead the program when beloved head coach Chris Finn passed away in 2020. Athlete Rian Dindzans explains: “John didn’t fill Coach Chris’ shoes. He respected the space Chris had in his life and ours. He went from a fellow player to our lead strategist and, if he struggled with or flinched from the transition, he never showed it.”
John was invested in constantly improving as a coach. BORP Executive Director Emily Seelenfreund remembers “when I first met him, he was asking for [coaching] advice,” and “he asked to be connected with more experienced coaches.” Emily notes that he was committed to this because he knew his team “deserved somebody who was going to go at the job full throttle.”
John was also an incredibly thoughtful leader. BORP Program Manager Molly Bloom remembers him carefully weighing decisions that would impact his team. He would take important questions to his athletes and assistant coaches, Margo Roeckl and Andris Dindzans, for collaborative discussion and debate. He led through community building and consensus.
The athletes John played with and coached remember him for his encouraging nature, patience, and kindness. Lateef McLeod recalls that John recruited him to return to power soccer after a long hiatus. Lateef says: “When I rejoined BORP power soccer, he encouraged my growth as a player and I always felt supported. I will miss him as a friend and coach.”
Rian adds: “He really focused on getting me to see the player I am rather than wallowing in all the things I need to improve upon. He was constantly pushing me to trust my gut and my analysis skills, and he nudged me into leadership positions on and off court. I am nowhere near the same player now as I was 6 years ago. That growth is due directly to him.”
John died the night before the Shockers were set to compete in the MK Battery Conference Cup Series, the power soccer championship tournament. Though the team was grieving, they took the court in his honor, shouting “Madigan” as their rallying cry before each game.
Beyond power soccer, “John was a compassionate individual off court. He shared with many of us his love of live music, good food and drink, and quality time spent together. His off beat humor and perfectly timed colorful comments brought levity to even the most challenging situation,” says Kendra Scalia.
John’s impact on the BORP community will endure. We will remember him at the inaugural John Madigan Memorial Power Soccer Tournament on November 14-15 at James Kenney Community Center in Berkeley, and at a Celebration of Life on November 14, where the power soccer and broader adaptive sports communities can gather to honor his memory.
John’s legacy will also live on through the John Madigan Memorial Travel Fund, established with the support of an anonymous donor. The fund will help subsidize travel for power soccer athletes, who usually travel with two power wheelchairs and often a personal attendant, which adds significant expense. Additional funding will support the continued maintenance and expansion of BORP’s power soccer program.
To donate in John’s memory and sign up to attend the John Madigan Celebration of Life on November 14, use the buttons below.
