North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting to Know: WPC District Reps
4/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wolfpack Club
April 13, 2011
Editor's note: As the Wolfpack Club celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding in 1936 during its annual spring caravan, GoPack.com will profile the district representatives who help organize events and outings in their areas and are an integral part of the organization's fundraising efforts on behalf of NC State student-athletes. Wednesday night, the Wolfpack Club Caravan travels to Mount Airy.
Name: Keith Venable
Region: District IV (Forsyth, Davidson, Stokes, Surry counties)
Hometown: Mount Airy, N.C.
Current residence: Mount Airy, N.C.
Occupations: An accountant by education and trade, Venable is currently the treasurer and controller at John S. Clark Company in Mount Airy.
Family: Wife, Emily. Children, Rylan, 5; Kylie, 10 months
Wolfpack Club member since: Since first year at NC State, 1994
NC State graduate: B.S. in accounting, 1998; Master's degree in accounting 1999.
Q. Was there an event or particular season that made you become an NC State fan?
A. I grew up a basketball fan and that's all I really thought about. But the first time I sat and watched a game at Carter-Finley Stadium, that changed my whole perspective. I've been all about football ever since. The one particular moment that made me an avid football fan is the two-point conversion we had in 1997 in overtime against Syracuse, a pass to Torry Holt from Jamie Barnette to beat Donovan McNabb and Syracuse.
Q. What made you join the Wolfpack Club?
A.I've always been an avid fan of athletics and have tried to be active in my support. I knew when I went to NC State that I wanted to go to every event that I could. The Student Wolfpack Club always had the best seats and the best tickets for football and for basketball, so I wanted to do whatever I could to be as close to the court or the field as possible.
Q. How did you become a district leader?
A. When I was first hired at John S. Clark, our CEO Richard Vaughn approached me about doing some work as a district representative, because we didn't have one at the time. That was about six years ago and I have been active ever since. What is important to me now is helping and supporting young men and women from our area to get the opportunity to attend NC State.
Q. How strong is the NC State fan base in your district?
A. Surry County has historically been closely affiliated with the textile and agriculture industries and is a strong base for NC State supporters. The Wolfpack Club is very strong here.
Q. Did you compete in organized athletics?
A. I was on the golf team in high school.
Q. Do you have a favorite NC State student-athlete?
A. My two favorites are guys I was in school with, [All-America wide receiver]Torry Holt and [running back] Tremayne Stephens. I got to know Tremayne while we were in school together and he was a great guy.
Q. What is your favorite memory involving NC State athletics?
A. The first time we beat Florida State in football. It was at Carter-Finley Stadium and on the first play of the game Chris Weinke hit Peter Warrick with a touchdown bomb. We were all thinking `Here we go again.' But that was the game Weinke threw six interceptions and we owned the game after that first touchdown. I'll never forget that day.
Q. In what other ways are you involved in your community?
A. I am Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Children's Center of Surry as well as being active in youth baseball in Surry County.
