What better way for UW volleyball Head Coach Pete Waite to reach a major coaching milestone this past weekend than with a dominating win in the friendly confines of the Field House-the place he has helped become recognized as one of the most popular venues in the nation for collegiate volleyball.
The Madison-area native attained his 400th career victory last Friday as the Badgers knocked off Virginia en route to winning the InnTowner Invitational. For Coach Waite, the landmark achievement has given him a chance to recognize the people that have helped him reach such success all the way.
\The milestone means a lot and it makes me look back at all the people that have put the time in-the players, the staff and a lot of people behind the scenes including Sports Information, the trainers, the strength coaches, the custodians, games management people-and really everyone that has helped to make this such a great environment,"" Waite said.
With a UW coaching record of 136-38 and an overall coaching record of 402-140, Waite has not only established himself as one of the country's most decorated and experienced coaches, but also in turn given UW fans a reason to attend, cheer and recognize the UW volleyball program.
This year, UW ranks third in the national attendance rankings with 3,448 spectators per match and for the fourth straight season has sold over 1,000 season tickets. Credit the coach for putting fans in the seats as he continues to churn out strong teams each year.
Averaging 26 wins per season, the Badgers have made five straight NCAA tournament appearances under his tutelage-a mark no other Badger coach has been able to do in his first five years.
Much of the Badgers' success in the past five years is undoubtedly a credit to the ability of the players, but their drive, determination and will to win is thanks to the ethics instilled by the coach.
""I think his biggest emphasis is hard work and effort,"" senior outside hitter Marian Weidner said. ""He's really big on us giving it all and then just performing when we need to. He doesn't care how you get a dig or how you get a block as long as you do it and it's a positive play.""
""He's such a great teacher,"" Weidner added. ""A lot of times, he'll just sit back in practice and watch individual players for a while and tell them what they are doing well, what they are doing wrong and what they need to work on. It's so nice to get that from a coach on a daily basis.""
This style of coaching is what has allowed Waite to be so successful in this his 17th year as a college head coach. Prior to his return to the state in 1999, Waite was the head coach at Northern Illinois University. During the 11 years at NIU, he became the all-time winningest coach in the school's program, including nine 20-win seasons. He already has four 20-win seasons and one 30-win season in just five years at UW.
""I think that when I was at Northern Illinois, there were a lot of matches you could go into and you wouldn't have to prepare too much, and you knew you would come out with a pretty easy win sometimes,"" Waite said. ""In some ways, the stress level is a little higher now and you have to work harder in preparation for those matches.""
Despite the increase in the level of competition and the switch to a Big Ten program, Waite has continued to find a way to be successful each season.
""Each year, I adjust to what the team needs, depending on our strengths, weaknesses and what our personalities are like and what I feel motivates them.""
As much as his adjustments have been successful year in and year out, regardless of the program, so too is his attitude and ability to find the right personalities and players that mesh with his ""easy-going, laid-back"" demeanor, as many of the players put it.
""He may seem kind of intimidating at first, but once you talk to him, he is very straightforward and honest with you,"" Weidner said.
""He's an incredible coach and I don't think I could ask for anyone better as a college coach,"" junior middle blocker Sheila Shaw said.
""He's very understanding, straight-forward, polite, honest, patient and most of all knows the game very well. And with his personality, he is so laid back. He explains things in different ways to different players so that they can understand him.""
""He has taught me how to have the confidence that a great player in college needs to have,"" Shaw added.
For senior outside hitter Jill Odenthal, Waite has been a guiding influence in not only improving her volleyball skills but also her personal skills in everyday life.
""He has taught me how to have balance in both my personal life and my life off the court and to be more aggressive when I do things and approach life,"" Odenthal said.
His ability to coach winners is uncanny and is evident by five all-Americans, six conference players of the year and 25 first-team All-conference honorees, however most impressive is his ability to reach out to each of his players and make an impact on their lives on and off the court.
""I think one of the biggest things I've learned is how important personalities are, and when you get positive people who are determined and have a good work ethic, you can really get anything done. In the same aspect, the totally opposite can happen if you get anyone that is negative or lazy. It can drag the whole team down and the focus isn't on the opponent anymore but to correct the problems in your program.\
