North Carolina State University Athletics
Giving Proper Thanks (11/24/08)
11/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
When our coaches recruit young high school players and bring them, sometimes far from home, to NC State’s campus, they make a promise to players: we will take care of your child and be responsible for making them better athletes, better students and better people.
That’s why I enjoy hearing about some of the extra-curricular activities our student-athletes participate in, especially as we head into the Thanksgiving week. I think our student-athletes constantly show how they appreciate the opportunities they have here at NC State and how blessed they are.
On Halloween, about a dozen student-athletes traveled to the nearby
One of the highlights of the day was seeing big ol’ defensive end Willie Young reading to the 4-year-olds.
In recent weeks, we also had the second-annual Athletes WITH Talent Show, which provides individual student-athletes and teams to show how talented they are or, in some cases, aren’t in off-the-field activities like singing, dancing and comedy.
It’s a charity event, organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, that raised $1,325 for the Food Bank of
The SAAC is a great organization, under the guidance of assistant athletics director for student affairs Tonya Washington and program director Demar Bonnemere, that helps our student-athletes develop leadership qualities, friendships and what we hope is a life-long commitment to improving their community.
Finally, I’d like to mention that baseball coach Elliott Avent and his team participated in an excellent on-campus event for Veteran’s Day. The university sponsored an observance of the holiday at the
Coach Avent is passionate as he is with many things about his team having respect for the men and women who protect our country and those who gave their lives defending it.
Coach said the other day:
“I personally feel that Veterans Day and Memorial Day are two great holidays that are least recognized and understood by the players that I coach. Going to the Veteran’s Day observance was my way of exposing them to what I think real-life is all about. They know they are safe and they know they are protected, but this was my way of us thanking all the men and women who keep us safe. It also let my players understand a little bit about the history of the holiday and the history of NC State’s
Throughout the school year and in the summer, we provide many opportunities for our student-athletes to participate in events like these, and it makes me proud of NC State every time I hear how many choose to participate in them.
Lee Fowler
NC State athletics director
