Cheryl Gade, a retired math teacher from Iowa, has maintained a close friendship with Patrick Murphy, the head coach of the Alabama softball team, since he was her student in the early 1980s. Although Murphy dropped her Algebra 2 class after a few weeks, their bond grew as Gade became a mentor to him, even hiring him to coach a little league softball program. Over the past 40 years, Gade has attended numerous Women's College World Series (WCWS) games to support Murphy, including the 2012 national championship win. Gade's dedication to Alabama softball is evident as she has traveled extensively to watch the games, often making sacrifices to attend despite her teaching commitments. Murphy has achieved significant success as a coach, earning multiple accolades and leading the Crimson Tide to numerous NCAA tournament appearances. Their enduring friendship showcases the lasting impact of mentorship and support in sports, with Gade cheering passionately for Murphy from the stands.