North Carolina State University Athletics
Tony Haynes: A Family Affair
9/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 23, 2003
By Tony Haynes
For many generations now, the football rivalry between NC State and North Carolina has either pulled many families together or torn them apart. There are those many stories of the husband who went to State and the wife who attended Carolina. Under most circumstances, they seem to co-exist peacefully except on those few days a year when the Wolfpack and Tar Heels meet on the football field or basketball court. But for the family of NC State tight end John Ritcher, this longtime southern rivalry has never generated angst and divisiveness. The Ritchers, of course, bleed red and white.
"My mom cheered here and my dad played here," said John Ritcher, a sophomore tight end who will be playing in his second NC State - North Carolina battle this Saturday. "As a little kid, I remember going to school after State won or lost. I would either get on the Carolina fans or feel like I was about to cry because they were getting on me so bad. You learn to dislike Carolina at a real young age when you grow up a State fan."
Born in 1982, Ritcher wasn't even around when his decorated dad, Jim Ritcher, won the 1979 Outland Trophy, given each year to the nation's best college blocker. A two-time All-America center with the Wolfpack, Jim Ritcher is one of only six NC State players to have had their jerseys retired.
Jim Ritcher's outstanding college career was followed by a successful 16-year stint with the NFL's Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons. Not one to shy away from challenges, Jim is now spending his life after football as a commercial airline pilot.
It was during his father's professional football career than John Ritcher usually had to keep up with the NC State - North Carolina football rivalry from afar.
"I would watch as many as I could, but with dad playing for the Bills I didn't get to make a lot of the games," John said. "I went to quite a few of the basketball games as a kid, but didn't make it to too many football games."
That's because the Ritchers lived one-half of the year in Buffalo and the other half in Raleigh. And although there were many miles between the two cities, John remembers the frustration and anger he would feel on those Saturdays when the Tar Heels would have the upper hand.
"I would never throw things, but I would get upset," John Ritcher said. "I would be frustrated until mom could calm me down."
There was plenty of frustration between 1993 and 1999, a period that saw the Tar Heels rip off seven consecutive victories in the series. It wasn't until Chuck Amato's first year as head coach that the Pack finally broke the painful streak with a 38-20 triumph in Chapel Hill. Since then, NC State has won two of the last three, including last year's 34-17 win in Kenan Stadium. And while Carolina was struggling to a 3-8 campaign in 2002, the Wolfpack recorded perhaps the best season in school history with an 11-3 mark.
Recent history has created the perception that the NC State program has moved ahead both on the field and on the recruiting trail. But John Ritcher isn't buying it.
"I just think that coach Amato has come in and done a great job of recruiting," John Ritcher said. "He's gotten this building (the Murphy Center) built. But as far as moving ahead, I still think there are plenty of kids that grow up and want to go to Carolina. They've struggled a little bit this year but they're not a bad team. In most people's eyes in the state, I think we're still chasing them a little bit to be honest with you."
During his high school career at Ravenscroft High School in Raleigh, Ritcher was recruited as both a tight end and a linebacker. A number of schools expressed interest, including North Carolina. Jim Ritcher's son, a Tar Heel?
"Oh yea, I talked to them because coach O'Cain was there and he was a good friend," John said of the former Wolfpack head coach who was Carolina's offensive coordinator for one season. "I looked there. It is an impressive program. They've had success and they've got great facilities. I gave them a look, but not a real long look."
This week, he'll be looking to make himself, his school and his family proud when he takes the field against the Tar Heels. After being out of town for most of the week, Jim Ritcher will return just in time to catch the game on Saturday. But during the week, father and son will discuss what it will take to beat NC State's archrivals from Chapel Hill. It's a conversation they've been having ever since John was old enough to understand what the rivalry is all about.
"I always knew how big it was, but when I got on the field last year it was even bigger," John said.
It's been a big game for many years, especially in the Ritcher household.
Washington Out: Amato announced following practice on Tuesday that wide receiver Richard Washington has been suspended from the Wolfpack football team for breaking team rules. The suspension, Amato said, will last for an indefinite period of time. Also held out of the Pack's opening night win over Western Carolina for disciplinary purposes, Washington had 17 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns in three games against Wake Forest, Ohio State and Texas Tech.
