North Carolina State University Athletics
Gottfried Prepares For Military Appreciation Day Jump
9/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 15, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - As part of NC State's annual Military Appreciation Day activities for the South Alabama game, Wolfpack men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried has decided on a unique way to show his gratitude for America's military personnel with a tandem parachute jump (weather conditions permitting) into Carter-Finley Stadium at halftime.
Gottfried's tandem jump will conclude the halftime activities, which include a 9/11 tribute and full field-sized flag display by members of the armed forces and local police and firefighters.
"We have a lot of men and women who are voluntarily serving our country. I along with many other people are tremendously appreciative of the sacrifices they and their families make," Gottfried said. "That's why I'm doing it - just to say a loud `thank you' to them."
Gottfried will be teamed with Army Sergeant First Class Mike Elliott, the Rangers' Group parachute team leader, who has over 9,000 solo jumps and over 3,000 tandem jumps to his credit. Elliott has twice jumped with President George H. Bush and also with actor Dennis Haysbert and NBA legend Karl Malone.
On Thursday morning, Elliott put Gottfried through a 45-minute pre-jump training at the Murphy Center, instructing the Wolfpack coach on the features of the safety equipment and parachute; on the proper way to exit the plane; what to do and not to do during the jump and landing procedure.
This isn't the first time that Gottfried has shown his support of the troops. In 2005, he participated in the inaugural Operation Hardwood, a USO and Armed Forces Entertainment-sponsored trip that sends eight current and former college basketball coaches to the Middle East to bring a little piece of home to the troops abroad. Gottfried was a part of the tour again in 2006 and 2009, coaching co-ed military teams in a double-elimination tournament, visiting with the troops and conducting youth clinics.
"Those were unforgettable experiences," Gottfried continued. "It's great to be able to do anything in support of them after they've done so much for us."
Saturday's Military Appreciation Day activities begin at 3 p.m. in the Fan Zone located on the front lawn of the RBC Center behind the north endzone one of Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
