North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Club Receives Gift from The Holt Foundation
2/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 25, 2002
RALEIGH, NC -- Torry Holt, famed NC State wide receiver and current St. Louis Ram has donated $100,000 to the Wolfpack Club, Bobby Purcell, the club's executive director announced today as he accepted the gift and praised Holt for his leadership.
"We could not be more pleased and honored that Torry has made this gift," said Purcell. "Both on the football field and in the community, Torry has always been a leader. This gift speaks to his commitment to excellence for NC State and his pride in the Wolfpack Club.?"
"NC State and the Wolfpack Club mean so much to me," said Holt. "As a scholarship student-athlete at NC State I learned about discipline, commitment, hard work, and the support of others. It was my time spent here in Raleigh that gave me the opportunity to realize my dream of playing professional football. I am proud to be able to give back to the Wolfpack Club after all they have given to me. Without this organization, there would be many student-athletes who couldn't afford the opportunity for an education at NC State."
The gift is directed to the Wolfpack Club's endowment fund. "I want this gift to go into the endowment so that it will help others well into the future," explained Holt. "I hope this gift will show the way for some of my Wolfpack football teammates and others who participated in sports at NC State to step up and thank the Wolfpack Club for the commitment it has shown NC State student-athletes."
Torry Holt
Born on June 5, 1976 in Greensboro, NC, son of Odell Shoffner and Ojetta
Holt-Shoffner, Holt was raised in Gibsonville as a middle child with an
older sister and younger brother. As a kid, he pulled tobacco frequently to
earn extra money. That's how he bought his first pair of football cleats.
Holt started playing organized football at the age of 7 or 8 and as a young,
talented athlete, he earned the nickname "Hot Dog" because he used to try to
show up the other players and opposing teams.
Holt attended Eastern Guilford High School and became a successful football athlete, earning All-State honors and excelled not only as a wide receiver, but also as a defensive back and kick returner. In 1994 he attended Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia and was selected as a Prep Football Report All American. He chose North Carolina State because his mother was dying of cancer and he wanted to stay close to home.
From 1995-1999, he played wide receiver for the Wolfpack football team. Holt became an impact player with great hands and speed and in 1998 was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year. He still holds numerous football records at NC State:
... Single Game: 15 receptions, 5 Touchdowns, 255 Total Yards
... Single Season: 88 Receptions, 16 Touchdowns, 1,604 Total Yards
... Career: 191 Receptions, 31 Touchdowns, 3,379 total yards, 14-100 yard
games.
Holt lived on campus all four years, majored in Sociology and enjoyed all the opportunities he was given. After his junior year, he entertained thoughts of leaving early to play in the NFL, but opted to stay at NC State for his senior year.
In April 1999, Torry Holt became the sixth overall draft pick in the NFL draft and the first selection made by the St. Louis Rams. In his rookie season, he posted 53 Receptions, 788 Total Yards and 6 Touchdowns and helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl Championship Season. In the 2001 NFL season, Holt once again helped guide the Rams to the Super Bowl by leading the team with 81 receptions for 1363 yards and scoring 7 touchdowns.
During the season, Holt lives in St. Louis and in the off-season travels to North Carolina as often as possible in between workouts and mini-camps.
The Holt Foundation
The Holt Foundation was established in 1999 by the St. Louis Rams wide
receiver to honor his mother, the late Ojetta Holt-Shoffner. Cancer took her
life on December 27, 1996, but her memory will reign on through the many
positive ventures the Holt Foundation will undertake for the benefit of
cancer patients. The Holt Foundation will emphasize education and support
for the entire family affected by the diagnosis of cancer and its treatment
