North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting to Know: WPC District Reps
4/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wolfpack Club
April 28, 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. The Wolfpack Club Caravan heads to Raleigh Thursday afternoon.
Jonny Cannon
Region: District 16
Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.
Current residence: Raleigh
Occupations: Salesman, business owner and consultant for materials handling, loading docks and specialty doors for more than 25 years; Owner of CARDIACS Sports & Memorabilia in Cary; inventor and founder of the Freedom Tray.
Family: Wife, Sarah; children, Seth (14), Jesse (12), Jericho (10).
Wolfpack Club member since: 1985.
Education: Attended NC State 1980-81; graduated with degree in business administration from Wingate College in 1984.
Q. Was there an event or particular season that made you become an NC State fan?
A. Growing up in Kannapolis, I could only get games on radio and I always listened to the NC State broadcasts, with Wally Ausley calling the games. It just kind of stuck with me. I always wanted to go to school there and I loved my time in school there. But one day the school told me I was doing a better job of being a Wolfpack fan than I was being an NC State student. So I completed my college career at Wingate.
Q. What made you join the Wolfpack Club?
A. I just wanted to become more involved and do more things. It just developed from there.
Q. How did you become a district leader?
A. I became a Wolfpack Club representative because [former senior associate director] Stephen Ponder lived in the same condominium complex as I did and he got me involved. I always admired [former district leader] Don Winstead and what he did. When he was ready to advance with other responsibilities, I was asked to move into this position and I appreciated the chance.
Q. How strong is the NC State fan base in your district?
A. Obviously, being here in Raleigh and the home county for the Wolfpack Club, we are at rabid level. We have 81 reps in Wake County but we need 128 more to reach out more effectively to the more than 6,000 Wake County WPC Members.
Q. Do you have a favorite NC State student-athlete?
A. It’s so hard to pick, because there have been so many. [Basketball player] Tom Gugliotta was one of my favorites. I loved how he grew throughout his career and became so much stronger and better. I can’t split Philip Rivers and Jerricho Cotchery and what they did together. They are almost like a match set. Same with Chris Corchiani and Rodney Monroe. They are all players I admired. And as much as I admired Russell Wilson as a player, I liked him even more as a person.
Q. What is your favorite memory involving NC State athletics?
A. The first time we beat FSU on Sept. 12, 1998, in Carter-Finley Stadium. My son was 1 and I held him throughout the game. I have a picture of us together, holding him up in front of the scoreboard. That was just a special day.
Q. Did you participate in organized athletics?
A. I played baseball and football and ran track at A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis. I was also a two-time all-state drummer in our award-winning marching band.
Q. In what ways are you involved in your community now?
A. I serve as a deacon at the Raleigh Church of Christ. I do some youth baseball coaching. I’m also involved with the Boy Scouts.
Wolfpack Club Executive Director Bobby Purcell says: “Jonny is the most enthusiastic representative we have, which is something we need in a district that is so large. He might be the most optimistic person I know. He’s always upbeat. He’s a wonderful father and a great Christian. He’s really a go-getter and a great family man.
