North Carolina State University Athletics
Behind The Scenes With Tony Haynes: Just Wondering
6/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
June 11, 2002
By Tony Haynes
This, my friends, is a just wondering column. It's one of those things you do on a hot, steamy June day when football season is still more than two months away and the lemonade can't possibly be cold enough. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to wonder about. For instance....
Just wondering (while we're on the subject of heat), how hot WILL it be at 4:30 p.m. on August 24th? Two days after its spring game ended, the entire NC State football team was already into its offseason conditioning program. Conditioning and depth will likely be major factors when the Wolfpack opens up against New Mexico in the Black Coaches Association Bowl.
Just wondering, how could a columnist from-of all places-Detroit criticize any other town in the United States? During the Stanley Cup Finals, the Motor City Media has seen fit to characterize Raleigh as a Mayberry-like Hickville where residents sit around and guzzle moonshine each day. One Detroit writer stated that Raleigh is known more for NASCAR than Hockey. Oh really? Exactly what is the name of the NASCAR race that is held in Raleigh? And for that matter, what's the name of our speedway? I suppose we could start the Beltline 500.
Just wondering, should the Beltline 500 be staged on the inner loop or the outer loop?
Just wondering, what will be said when coaches John Bunting and Chuck Amato meet at midfield prior to the North Carolina-NC State football game on October 12? Bunting: "greetings my dear friend. You look wonderful today." Amato: "I don't look nearly as chipper as you. That light blue really does accentuate the gray hairs in your mustache." Bunting: "we really must do lunch sometime. I know this delightful little Italian caf? at the Siena Hotel. Surrounded by Tuscan columns, high arched windows and pedestal chandeliers, it truly is a haven for culinary delights. Amato: "to heck with Tuscan columns and pedestal chandeliers, I'll take Amedeo's any day of the week."
Just wondering, will NC State guard Anthony Grundy be taken in this month's NBA Draft? Even if he's not selected, the 6-3 Louisville native probably has a 50-50 shot of making it somewhere. Grundy, an All-ACC selection last season, has instincts for the game that can't be taught or coached. Those instincts will serve him well has he tries to make the transition from shooting guard to point guard.
Just wondering, how many season tickets will NC State sell for the upcoming football season? Last year's record of more than 31,000 season tickets sold is in serious jeopardy. In fact, the level of interest in Wolfpack football has never been greater. If you miss out on purchasing tickets now, you'll likely be left out in the cold-even if it is around 95 degrees on August 24.
Just wondering, will it be Rivers or Rix? The race for All-ACC quarterback could produce one of the interesting subplots of the upcoming season. Although he was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000, Rivers has been unable to crack first or second team All-conference in his first two years. One signal caller to keep you eyes on this fall will be Florida State's Chris Rix, who was named Rookie of the Year last season. Not only is the 6-4 Rix extremely mobile, he also features a rifle arm that produced 3,123 yards of total offense in 2001. If they stay healthy, both quarterbacks will have a chance to put up some monster numbers this fall.
