As someone who never cared much about college football growing up, when Barry Alvarez was hired to coach my state's largest (only) Division I football program in 1990, I was only mildly interested. After 116 victories, and 3 Rose Bowl victories, I am now a convert: I love Badgers football!

As of yesterday, things will be different at UW-Madison: Head Coach Barry Alvarez coached his las college football game at Camp Randall stadium. Sure there is 1 more game, at Hawaii, and 1 more bowl game to play and win. And yes, Coach Alvarez is thankfully staying on as athletic director to help recruit and run our programs to ensure we stay top notch in all we do, but things will be different, that's for sure.

I just wanted to say thanks for being such a great leader, Coach Alvarez. You innovated your way into my heart with a new brand of college football, and you made your way into the hearts of so many others in the state of Wisconsin. Thanks for bringing respectability back to 'Sconsin Football! It's been a great ride, what with a Heisman trophy winner (Ron Dayne), 3 Rose Bowl victories, and a beautifully remodeled Camp Randall to watch the games at. I went to Camp Randall this year to watch the Badgers defeat Michigan, and the place was electric!

Thanks for all of that, and so much more Coach Alvarez! Making it great never looked so easy as when you coached, so thanks for inspiring so many Wisconsin kids to believe that our little state college is so much more than just a place to learn!

Now let's go win at Hawaii and win your last bowl game! On Wisconsin!

Phil Gerbyshak leads a team of IT help desk professionals in Milwaukee, WI, and finds that sharing his knowledge is a crucial component in his success as a leader and as a person. Phil's personal philosophy is paraphrased from Tim Sanders' fantastic book Love is the Killer App: "Share your knowledge, your network, and your love. The rest will follow." Read more of Phil's ideas at http://makeitgreat.org