North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Returns to Reynolds
12/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-NC State guard Scooter Sherrill knows Reynolds Coliseum like the back of his hand. It is, after all, the place where he and his teammates practice almost every single day. He knows all about the 'flexible' rims that are so shooter friendly. He also knows about the creaky sounds, including the occasional ring of a phone that sits in the upper reaches of the famed basketball shrine. What Sherrill doesn't know is what it's like to actually play a game inside the venerable building that was home to Wolfpack men's basketball for 50 years.
His curiosity will finally be satisfied Saturday night when the unbeaten Pack (4-0) returns to Reynolds for a game against North Carolina A&T (0-3).
"I'm very excited about it," said Sherrill, a 6-3 junior from Salisbury. "I used to come here to watch games when they were recruiting me. It was crazy. The fans were going wild and everyone was on top of the court. Everybody talks about how Cameron [Indoor Stadium] is the greatest place to play. I think Reynolds was the best place to play back in the day, and I'm excited about playing the game."
For many, Saturday's game will be like a trip back through time. Norm Sloan, the coach who guided NC State to the 1974 National Championship, will be sitting on the bench. And just like the old days, his wife, Joan, will sing the National Anthem prior to tip-off. Also back will be C.A. Dillon, the legendary public address announcer whose familiar voice is as synonymous with Wolfpack basketball as Everett Case and David Thompson.
The retro night will also feature throwback uniforms that will be similar to those worn by the 1983 team that went on to win NC State's second national title. The operative word there is "similar."
"We've just really tried to make it a special night," said Pack coach Herb Sendek, whose teams were 39-17 at Reynolds before the move to the RBC Center. "We'll have some throwback uniforms ready to go, but we wouldn't have a game if we used the old shorts because the guys wouldn't come out."
The small, tight shorts that used to be so commonplace years ago are-like so many things-now a thing of the past. However, some things won't change on Saturday. The noise, the excitement and the smell of popcorn will bring back a lot of memories for some, while also providing a unique experience for younger fans.
"The smell of popcorn in a building like this really makes it taste and feel like basketball," Sendek said.
Fans who are looking forward to another game at Reynolds can thank Disney on Ice, which will be occupying the RBC Center all weekend. Instead of taking an entire week off between games, Sendek thought it would be a good idea to schedule a contest and play it at the coliseum. Sendek says the Wolfpack will play at Reynolds at least one more time next year because of a similar conflict at the arena. For the record, NC State's all-time mark at Reynolds is 589-177 (.769).
Cliff Crawford is the only current NC State player that has actually played a live game at Reynolds Coliseum. During his freshman year ('99-'00), the Wolfpack played a pair of exhibition games in the coliseum before christening its new arena in the regular season opener against Georgia. While the Pack players wouldn't trade the RBC Center for anything, there are at least a few pieces of Reynolds hardware they would like to see moved to their more modern home.
"I love the RBC, but the rims we have here at Reynolds are great," Sherrill said with a sly, shooter's smile. "This is a great shooter's gym. I'm sure we'll shoot well over 60 percent. I can't wait and it's going to be fun."
