North Carolina State University Athletics
General Odierno Addresses Men's Basketball Team
11/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
It was Raymond Odierno's freshman year at West Point. The Army football team was playing top-ranked Nebraska, and the national champion Cornhuskers were winning 70-7. Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers was running down the sideline, sure to score another touchdown.
Suddenly, he was chased down at the 2-yard line by an Army linebacker who was unlikely to catch the elusive Rodgers. That, Odierno, told the NC State men's basketball team, was character.
"That tells me a lot about those people," the four-star General told the team. "They did not give up. They were willing to fight to the death so they didn't make it 77-7. It's not always about winning. It's about what you do when everything is going wrong."
Odierno would go on to a successful college football career for Army, and he said that collegiate athletic experience prepped him to become the proud leader he is today. Now after 38 years in the US Army, Odierno is the Army's Chief of Staff, the military unit's highest-ranking official.
General Odierno earned a master's degree in nuclear engineering from NC State and follows Wolfpack athletics. He was gracious enough to spend part of a day with Mark Gottfried's program and catch up with the team that he says he "tries to watch every game if he can."
In addition to character, General Odierno talked to the team about physical and mental toughness and living and playing with no regrets. The General told the Wolfpack players and staff to not take their opportunities, both academically and athletically, for granted. Because in the end, Odierno said, it's about team.
"Being in the Army, that's what has helped me most. To be able to understand what it means to be a part of a team."
.@GENRayOdierno is the highest ranking officer in the entire @USArmy. Today he took the time to talk to our team. pic.twitter.com/ZtToIkZ24D
— NC State MensBball (@PackMensBball) November 6, 2014
