Geno Auriemma couldn't help but feel a little bit like a proud father when he heard about what former UConn guard Courtney Gaine was about to do to help out a friend in need,

Former UConn baseball player Mike Galati's liver was failing and doctors surmised that if he did not have a liver replacement, he might not be able to survive more than a year.

UConn baseball coach Jim Penders, a former teammate of Galati's, offered to donate part of his liver to help save Galati's life. However, Penders found out that he was not a match. As it turned out, another former UConn classmate was not only a match but willing to step forward.

Gaine, who played for Auriemma from 1995-1999, donated her liver to Galati.

"Mike was a great friend of ours, a great friend of the program and when I read about what Jim Penders was trying to do and have Courtney be in the position to help knowing that they have been good friends through college, it is a small world. It is funny how things evolve. I am thrilled for them and thrilled for Mike."