
Bret Wise knew his job for Wichita State basketball and happily went to work for coach Mark Turgeon. Wise's three seasons working as an unselfish part of the team gave him a perspective on the program as it emerged from a difficult time.
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"It was always very team-oriented," Wise said. "It was a family atmosphere. It was very enjoyable seeing where the program was at when I came in and, by the time I left, we were moving in the right direction."
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Wise, a 6-foot-7 forward from Emporia, transferred to Wichita State after one season at Idaho. After a redshirt year, he averaged 5.2 points and 3.3 rebounds for the 2003 Shockers, a team selected for the NIT, the program's first post-season play since 1989. He averaged 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 2004 to help the Shockers return to the NIT.
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Wichita State went 18-12 and 21-11 in Wise's two seasons, its highest victory totals since 1989.
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"Our season turned around when Bret started to play more," Turgeon told The Wichita Eagle early in the 2003-04 season. "Some of our biggest victories the past two years have happened when he has played well."
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Wise, now an optometrist in Wichita, earned the team's Academic Leadership Award as a redshirt in 2002 and the next two seasons before graduating and leaving for optometry school.
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Wise remembers the double-overtime loss to Florida State (76-65) in 2004 in Koch Arena as an indication about the potential for the program.
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"My ears were ringing after that game," he said. "Everybody was so excited. The community just wanted us to succeed and really got behind us. Right then, even though I was leaving, I could tell the university and the basketball team were definitely moving in the direction, when you have that kind of support."
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Wise, a Wichita Eagle All-State pick in 2000 at Emporia High, knew what Turgeon expected from him.
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"I was one of the lucky people that come in and realized what my role is going to be," he said. "It's not going to be me scoring 20 points. It was me coming in off the bench to give good defense and rebound. I took pride in that."
Update us on your current location and life status:
I've been an optometrist in Wichita for 14 years. I'm married to Jamie Wise, with a 4-year-old son Truman.
What was your major at Wichita State?Â
Field chemistry
Why did you choose Wichita State?Â
I went to the University of Idaho and was on a bad basketball team. I wanted to be closer to home and be part of a good program moving forward.
Besides the sport you played as a Shocker, what was your favorite sport? Â
As far as WSU sports, I enjoyed watching the volleyball team. My favorite sport is golf.
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Which teammate helped your adjustment to college life?Â
 Matt Clark was my roommate, and we continue to be good friends to this day.
What are your favorite memories from college athletics? Â
Going to the NIT both years. Especially the Florida State game - I've never heard Charles Koch Arena that loud. Also, the trip to the Virgin Islands.
What advice would you give to a person starting their athletics career in college? Â
Time management is the most important thing when trying to balance sports and classroom work.
What book would you recommend to current college students?  Â
"Warren Buffett: 43 Lessons for Business & Life"
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Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. "Catching up" is a regular feature highlighting former Shockers. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
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