North Carolina State University Athletics
WITH campaign wins national sportsmanship recognition
9/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
“Wolfpack in the House” the NC State athletic department’s sportsmanship initiative was the recipient of one of five Sportsmanship Recognition awards by the Division 1A Athletics Director’ Association.
The Sportsmanship Recognition is designed to honor universities and their athletics programs that are committed to improving sportsmanship at their schools.
“This is an excellent honor for our athletics department, one that shows we are effectively communicating our commitment to having the best and most supportive fans in the country,” said NC State director of athletics Lee Fowler.
The WITH initiative is an interactive, multi-media campaign in which student-athletes and Wolfpack fans are asked to provide first-class conduct and support at all athletics events.
Student-athletes are reminded about appropriate on-field behavior in a lecture series of relevant topics and by endorsing a code of conduct and sportsmanship that is included in the NC State Athletics student-athlete handbook.
The message is spread to fans via short announcements that are aired at football and basketball games and other athletics events, featuring NC State Chancellor James Oblinger, Fowler, football coach Chuck Amato, men’s basketball coach Sidney Lowe and women’s basketball coach Kay Yow.
“The Wolfpack in the House’ sportsmanship campaign is your guide to helping create a positive and enthusiastic game-day’ atmosphere,” says the introduction to the WITH campaign. “We want everyone to understand their role in creating home-field advantage, but more importantly, realizing the responsibility we all share in representing NC State and respecting all fans’ rights to have fun and enjoy themselves.”
NC State associate athletics director for external affairs Dick Christy coordinates and manages the campaign, with assistance from LaQuita Frederick, NC State’s assistant director of marketing and promotions.
“We are proud that a proactive approach to sportsmanship is starting to bear fruit,” Christy said. “The most exciting part is the impact this can have long-term on young fans.”
Fellow ACC member Clemson also received Sportsmanship Recognition, while ACC Commissioner John Swofford was presented with the Homer Rice Award, the association’s highest award.
