North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Feedback: Your Wolfpack Sports Memories Of The Last Year
6/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Rifle
June 14, 2001
Once again, Wolfpack fans have delivered! We asked for your No.1 NC State sports memories of the last 12 months, and the feedback was overwhelming. And here's a shock: NC State's football victory over North Carolina was the most popular choice among our respondents. Below is a random sampling of some of the written memories we received.
The number one sports memory I retain from the past year comes from the basketball game on December 5. We were playing a tight game with a surprising UNC-Greensboro team. In the last 30 seconds, Greensboro scored to go ahead. Many fans thought that was the end of the game, feeling the pains of an unexpected loss. After the timeout, Anthony Grundy brought the ball up the floor, dribbled down the side to the basket and with no time left on the clock, threw up an off-balance shot that went in. The ball went in, nothing but net and we won. Incredible!
Mike Flynn Sophomore in Computer Engineering at State
Editor's note: Mike, your memory is a little foggy--but only a little. Grundy actually scored the game winner after rebounding a missed shot.
Without a doubt my favorite moment occurred right in front of my eyes when Bryan Peterson threw the touchdown pass to Philip Rivers early in the Carolina football game. The moment cemented in my mind exactly what kind of coaching staff and overall attitude we have now in our football program. An incredible call and perfect execution at the perfect time during the game. The UNC players knew it was going to be all uphill that afternoon from there on out.
Richard A. Loftis, Mount Airy, NC
The last year was a good one for Wolfpack athletics, especially coach Chuck Amato's first NC State football team. The Pack finished the season with a very good 8-4 record. There were lots of memorable moments, but two stand out in my mind. The first was the game versus Duke, which the Pack won 35-31. I was in attendance as Philip Rivers threw for over 400 yards and clinched the game in the finals seconds with a touchdown. The other moment came in the Pack's 38-30 victory over Minnesota in the MicronPC.com Bowl. State fell behind in the game as usual, but was able to fight hard and pull it out in the fourth quarter. It was very rewarding to see the Pack in a bowl game and to come out victorious. I am looking forward to a better season in 2001.
Michael Ferguson, North Wilkesboro
My favorite memory from last year certainly had to be the elation I felt after finishing off UNC in Chapel Hill. After all of the heart-breaking losses the previous seven years, a football win never felt so good. The moment was made even better by the fact that I was attending one of my best friend's wedding reception, and he just happened to be a UNC graduate!!! Sweet revenge.
Trevor Gray, Arlington, Virginia, Class of 1998
Kay Yow's entry into the Hall of Fame--well deserved recognition for a great lady and great coach!
Tim Finan, Class of '74, Goldsboro, NC
It was a great year in Wolfpack sports with many memorable moments. However, I have to say that one stands out in my mind as a stepping stone for the future: Philip Rivers' first game as a Wolfpacker. It was not the perfect night for football weather-wise, but Rivers beat all the odds of the weather and the upset bid of Arkansas State. I stayed throughout the torrential downpours and watched a freshman play like a 10-year professional. His play in that game was what propelled the Pack to such a great season. His leadership on the field in that game was incredible. With time winding down in regulation and the Pack facing a fourth down, he calmly completed a pass and the Pack went on to win. Way to go Philip and the entire football team. Also, just think of what is ahead for us in the next three years! We love the Pack in Surry County!
Josh Nixon
My favorite play last year was the "Rooster" at the Wake Forest game. Philip had the Wake players convinced he had the ball, but by the time they figured it out, Ray-Rob was already in the end zone.
Heather from Raleigh
The game I remember from the Wolfpack's 2000-2001 season is definitely the bowl game. The emotional roller coaster from the first half depression to the second half exuberance put an exclamation point on the entire football season. The courage and persistence coach Amato has displayed was magnified by his players on several occasions, but especially in the bowl game. The victory was a perfect end to a tremendous year.
Ryan Ruebesam
The most exciting moment for me was Koren Robinson's TD catch late in the Indiana game. That play grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat and gave the team confidence in its ability to finish.
Richie C. Stanley
I must say that the moment that sticks out in my wife's and my mind about last season was the football comeback against Indiana. We were initially planning to attend the game because we are only two hours away. However, something came up at the last minute. Because of coach Amato, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the new team. It even had us excited in Dayton, Ohio. That comeback win caused us to follow every game on TV and radio (Gopack.com connection). We almost went to the bowl game. We are also joining the alumni association this year and are planning to attend a home game. We are newlyweds and are both graduates of NC State. In conclusion, we are very excited about Pack football.
Kendal and Lisa Roberts, Class of 92 and 97, Dayton, Ohio
My favorite moment from last year has to be when Philip Rivers caught a touchdown pass early in the Carolina game. I was in Kenan Stadium for the first time, and was given quite a memory by the Wolfpack coaches and players.
Timothy P. Howard, Durham, NC
My #1 sports memory would have to be listening to the first football game of the season against Arkansas State. I remember being upset when were not able to put away what I thought was an inferior team. Somewhere in the fourth quarter, I completely forgot that we were not playing a national power and became swept up in the emotion of a young team fighting for its life against the elements and a team that just wouldn't lie down. That game was made for radio with all the ups, downs and suspense that was only intensified by great radio play-by-play. My first picture of Philip Rivers was developed by our wonderful Wolfpack radio broadcaster and I just couldn't wait to see him play. I remember thinking that if this kid is half as good as Mr. Haynes makes him sound, then we have something very special building. It was also one of the most wonderful post game interviews I have ever heard with an emotionally drained coach showing the same enthusiasm and excitement he had after winning his first bowl game later that year.
Carlyle Holt, Greensboro, NC
Editor's note: Carlyle, the check is in the mail. Best regards, TH.
I made the trip to Bloomington last season to see the Pack take on IU. At halftime, my buddy and I thought we had made a mistake traveling so far to see our boys lose. I will never forget Holt blocking their last ditch effort at tying the game. We were standing above the tunnel waiting for Rivers to finish his post game interview. He ran toward the exit jumping in the air and pumping his fist while the Pack fans were going crazy. That was a great feeling, not to mention the Bob Knight situation, which was in full swing that weekend!
Terry Fincher
My most memorable moment from last year's season was probably the Georgia Tech football game. We were at the game and when it went into overtime, I was absolutely pumped. After the game, we were driving home and were listening to the statistics on the radio, and the next thing I know we find out that the fans are walking down Hillsborough Street with one of the goalposts. I was thinking to myself, "how in the world could they have gotten a goalpost out of the stadium, out of the parking lot, and onto Hillsborough Street?" When I went to school that Monday following the game, I started talking to my principal about the game (he is also a State fan). He told me that he was shocked last night. I said, "why?" Because State sent the game into overtime and went on to win it? He said, "no. Because I saw my son on the news walking down Hillsborough Street with a goalpost in his hand." The night of the NC State vs Georgia Tech game is one night I'll never forget.
Brandon Stokes
Football season...all of it...that is my favorite sports memory. Arkansas State, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Duke and Minnesota all nearly gave me coronaries, but were wonderful memories. Coming to the FSU game right after my wedding. Whippin' Carolina. Tailgating with friends and family. It just doesn't get better than football.
Joe Larson
Now that the fans have spoken, Tony Haynes of Gopack.com and the NC State Radio Network weighs in on the last 12-months. The fans were asked to give their favorite memories. Tony's list consists of the top five accomplishments of the last year.
Tony's Top Five:
1--NC State Cheerleaders Win National Title. Comments: How can you top winning a National Championship? Being No.1 in the nation at the end of the year is truly the ultimate prize in collegiate athletics.
2--NC State Wrestling Team Captures ACC Championship. Comments: The next best thing to winning the National Championship is winning the ACC title. Veteran coach Bob Guzzo was also the league's coach of the year.
3--Football Team Caps 8-4 Season With Amazing Win In MicronPC.com Bowl. Comments: The comeback kids did it all year so we shouldn't have been surprised when they rallied from 24 points down to beat Minnesota.
4--Baseball Team Becomes First No.8 Seed To Advance To ACC Title Game. Comments: To go from the play-in game to the title game was an incredible accomplishment for a team that had experienced so much adversity during the regular season. By putting together back-to-back wins over Georgia Tech and Florida State on Saturday, May 19, the Pack produced one of the most dramatic days in program history.
5--Women's Basketball Makes NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Comments: Not bad for a team that got off to a 1-3 start in ACC play. A midseason switch to point guard by Tynesha Lewis turned the Wolfpack's fortunes around.
