Former Women’s Soccer Captain Mary Wall (CIT ’98, DC ’99) Living Hollywood Dreams

While millions of hockey fans wait on the sidelines for their favorite sport to return, Mary Wall (CIT '98, DC '99) is skating around Buffalo with a camera in her hand. The former women's soccer captain has been spending her days and nights directing, producing and writing a documentary about something near and dear to her heart – Buffalo Sabres fans.

"The general idea behind the documentary is to follow around 12 Sabres fans and use each of them to tell not only their own story, but that of the city of Buffalo and its sports teams," Wall said. "I've been filming pretty consistently for the past year and it's been great."

Wall first got the idea to make her documentary in 2006, when she had a nine-week hiatus from her role as an assistant for the executive producers of "The Office." The timing of the hiatus couldn't have been better, as Wall arrived in her hometown of Buffalo just as the Sabres embarked on a run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

"Everywhere you went, people we talking about hockey and the Sabres. It was energizing," Wall said. "I kept the idea in the back of my head and when I was back in Buffalo in 2011, a new owner had just bought the team and there was that same energy."

Wall decided to leave her job on "The Office," and began work on the documentary. Over the past year, she has experienced daily life with the 12 subjects of her film.

"It's been intense. I've gone with them to doctors' appointments and I've gotten really involved with the families. When one guy learned how to drive, I was in the backseat of the drivers' ed car," Wall said.

While at Carnegie Mellon, Wall majored in civil engineering but pursued her writing passion with a minor in English. The university's flexibility to explore other academic areas was a major reason Wall was so happy with her experience. In fact, Wall remained at Carnegie Mellon for a fifth year to finish a bachelor's degree in creative writing. 

"I loved Carnegie Mellon. It's such a good school and has such a great reputation," Wall said. "Once I got there, I became involved in so many things. I think that's what makes Carnegie Mellon such a great place. I enjoyed being an engineering major and wouldn't change that for anything. I loved all the freedom I had to explore."

Following graduation from Carnegie Mellon, Wall worked with Teach for America before spending a couple of years as a working engineer. She then decided to pursue her passion for writing and moved to Los Angeles. During her seven years with "The Office," Wall learned about writing, directing, producing and many other aspects of the entertainment world.

As she pursues her dreams, Wall has kept tabs on the Carnegie Mellon athletics program. She was thrilled to see the women's soccer program make its historic run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Championship in November.

"It's amazing to see where they are now and how far they've come," Wall said.

A defender on the 1994-97 teams, Wall was a reserve for her first three years with the program. She earned her way into the starting lineup – and the role of team captain – as a senior.

"I wouldn't change a thing. I think it was good to struggle and work with people who were better than me," Wall said.

Wall, who appeared in a 2009 episode of "The Office," has made a point to give back to the university that helped her get her start.

"I always make sure I earmark some of my money to go back to the athletics program because I think it's very important," Wall said. "We always said that we had better grades in the fall semester because we were really focused and we had a great outlet. Athletics gave us great pride in the school."