About a dozen years ago I had the great fortune to help produce a television documentary about Coach Wise and her volleyball program. I got to be basically embedded with the program for three days or practices, a home match with nationally-ranked Texas, and then traveling along with the team to and from a big road match at Georgia. Professionally, it was easily one of the most enriching highlights of my video production career.

Getting to watch Coach Wise run these incredible athletes through a grueling practice was amazing to behold. Her passion, intensity, and focus on the finest of details was impressive. Inside the lines, players responded to her with military precision and commitment. Outside the lines and interviewing the same players after practice, to an athlete they all regarded Coach Wise with motherly appreciation and admiration. Every one of them had a uniquely personal memory of something Mary did or said to them during their recruitment process or during off the court mentoring. It's not a cliche to say, Wise is the matriarch of an unbelievably tight knit family of Gator volleyballers, past and present. When you've seen it up close and personal, only then can you appreciate how much hard work, effort, and love Mary Wise has put into this program. We have been so fortunate to have her for so long!

I will be rooting so hard for her Saturday night. I hope you will be, too!