North Carolina State University Athletics
PEELER: A Unique Intro for Season Ticket Holders
11/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. – For new NC State women's basketball coach Kellie Harper, the afternoon-long gathering at Reynolds Coliseum was a little familiar.
"It's kind of like an overgrown family reunion," Harper said, looking out over a makeshift dining room filled with empty plates and eager faces.
Sunday's luncheon and clinic for the women's basketball season ticket holders is not exactly a new concept. Late head coach Kay Yow had similar receptions the last two years.
But this one was a little more interactive.
With the lights dimmed, each of the 200 or so season ticket holders was called onto the court and greeted under a spotlight, a reverse introduction in which the women's players cheered for the fans.
After lunch, the fans were split into five groups, with some going with players for a question and answer session, some going with Harper for a brief coaching clinic and other going onto the court for some rudimentary basketball drills to improve dribbling, passing and shooting.
The groups rotated after 15-minute sessions and were then invited to stay to watch a late afternoon practice on the court.
"It's nice to have interactive events like this with the fans," Harper said. "I've already gotten feedback with people saying 'I felt like a player' and that is exactly what we want. We want them to experience what we experience."
The event was for veteran season ticket holders and younger fans and everyone in between. It was a good introduction - and a strong injection of energy - for the upcoming season.
"The good thing about a lot of college athletics and women's athletics in particular is that we are very accessible," Harper said. "It's important for our fans to get to know our players, and this is a great way to do that."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
