The Colorado Women’s Basketball team has introduced Maeve McErlane as part of its incoming class for the 2025-26 season. McErlane, a junior guard, is among ten new players joining the roster, which includes both freshmen and transfers.
McErlane described her upbringing in Philadelphia as being rooted in a close-knit community. “Growing up in Pennsylvania was one thing, but also growing up in Philadelphia, I think, was another. Philadelphia is such a tight knit community. Everyone knows everyone, especially when it comes to the sports world. I feel like I truly have just a massive family in Philadelphia – friends and real family – but I wouldn’t want to grow up anywhere else,” she said.
She played multiple sports while growing up, including softball, tennis, and golf during high school. However, basketball became her main focus due to her family’s strong connection to the sport. “My mom played division one basketball, and my whole family is just super sports and basketball oriented. I just felt like I had this love and passion for it, and something that I could just continue to get better and better at. Being on the teams that I was on, those girls are still my friends to this day – girls I’ve played with since third grade. So being able to keep those relationships has also been something truly special,” McErlane explained.
Reflecting on her experience playing against Iowa during a record-setting game for women’s basketball attendance, McErlane said: “That moment was surreal, just to have been able to been a part of that, play in that game and also we did the traditional Hawkeye Wave to the Children’s Hospital, which that still gives me chills to this day. We did it after the first quarter, and we dedicated a game to Katie. She actually recently just passed away, which was super tragic. But being able to just play for something even more than just beating the world record was very special.”
McErlane cited Colorado’s coaching staff as an important factor in her decision to join CU Boulder: “I wanted to be able to play for a team at a high level, I would say the coaching staff is the main reason that I came to CU. Just that family, knit, close community. They truly care for you on and off the court and allow you to excel as a basketball player, but also a person. I think that this is a community where I can really grow, and that’s the reason why I chose CU.”
Adjusting from city life near Philadelphia and three years spent studying in Chicago has been significant for McErlane since moving west: “Growing up literally right outside of Philadelphia, and also being in school in Chicago for three years, I’m definitely a city girl. That’s all I’ve kind of ever known. So this has been a much different experience that I’m super appreciative of because it’s taken me out of my comfort zone – connecting more with nature, being surrounded by mountains. I think the unfamiliarity with Colorado has honestly been the best experience because I’ve never been here until I got here…”
She highlighted camaraderie with teammates as one of her favorite aspects so far: “Honestly everyone is super close…it’s probably the moments that are off the court…just walking around [the CU Events Center] or whatnot…the memories that we have created off the court have been special as well.”
Off-court interests include cooking—she enjoys making chicken cutlets along with other dishes—and watching television shows such as “The Sopranos” and “90210,” plus Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible” movies.
Looking ahead beyond graduation from Colorado Boulder’s program remains open-ended for McErlane: “I probably want to continue to do something in the sports world whether that’s get into coaching continue to play overseas [or] work in the sports media field…but I know that I don’t want to let go of sports just yet.”
For further details about Colorado women’s basketball including schedules or results visit CUBuffs.com; fans can follow updates via Instagram or Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
