For months, billboards have proclaimed "This is Big" in reference to the arrival of the inaugural Rise season, but they actually might be underselling its significance.
"This is History" might be more appropriate. It's the reason that Rise coaching staff and players posed for a commemorative photo on the first day of training camp.
After coaching at the collegiate level for 35 years, including most recently at Michigan State University for 17 seasons (2005-21), Rise head coach and VP of volleyball operations Cathy George is excited to see the dreams of many people finally become reality.
"It's like that moment in [the film] Hoosiers where you see the team photo hanging on the gym wall," she said.
She believes the Rise organization has built a team that will make the region proud. "We have assembled a group of players who, first of all, are talented and can play at this level, but who also exhibit those attributes that will make them great teammates – hard-working, passionate players who are courageous and can show the fight and work ethic we want."
The Rise talked to a lot of coaches and players, both in the U.S. and internationally, to find what George hopes will be a team that can embrace the challenge against all manner of opponents and overcome any adversity that may come during the Pro Volleyball Federation's first 24-match schedule.
"When you build a team, you want to have a group of players who are very earnest in what they do. They love the game and they want to play hard. They're good people and you can trust their intentions and their actions. It's something that you can almost feel, and that's where the camaraderie of a team starts to build," George said.
"These are people who are in it for each other, not just themselves. And that selflessness feeds into what we're trying to do, which is to build a team. We will have a team of very good volleyball players, not just one-dimensional players. Most of our players are skilled at more than one thing. I love the versatility of our players, so I am excited to watch them come together.
"I think we have some great synergy already."
Watching her players go through their paces during the team's initial training camp practices, George was excited about what she was seeing.
"I'm really enjoying this team," she said. "I believe that they're in it for the right reasons. They're committed to this team, to the program, to the Grand Rapids Rise, and to the league. And they're so grateful. They're very appreciative of this opportunity and they are adamant that they are going to make the most of it."
George has been impressed by how the veteran players are working with the team's draftees, for example.
"They're trying to look out for each other – you can see it in the way they're coming together to teach each other," she said. "They're investing in each other so they can be the very best they can be."
George said getting everyone on the same page takes time in terms of teaching the desired systems, but she believes the makings of team chemistry were evident early in camp.
"Many of them have played professionally already, except for our draftees, so they've all played at a high level, they've been All-Americans. They've been a part of great teams, so they understand what you're saying a little bit easier. We want to make sure that we're in sync, that we feel connected when we play, so we can rely on each other and build that trust great teams have."
While her team looked strong on paper, George thinks they will be equally good on the court.
"I'm so excited for people to see our players in action," she said. "The athleticism of these women is incredible. You have to jump high. You have to move fast. You have to make great defensive plays. You use power and finesse. You have to do everything."
George can't wait to hear the roar of the Van Andel Arena crowd. She is anxious for her players to feel the difference thousands of fans can make.
"Fan support is exhilarating," she said. "We've talked about how Grand Rapids supports their teams, so we're looking forward to hearing the place rock."
After months and months of administrative work, George is excited for the season to finally get started.
"It's nice to be able to say, 'Okay, we're finally here.' It seemed like it was forever in the future and now it's suddenly here, but this is the part I truly love. Now it's real and I'm totally excited to watch it grow."
The enormity of the moment is not lost on George, the Rise staff, and especially, the Rise players.
"We're trying to do something that people haven't done before. We are starting from scratch," she said. "We will be part of history."