Senior Spotlight: Kyle Bambard

RALEIGH, N.C. - Kyle Bambard has always had an enthusiastic approach when it comes to football. A Wixom, Mich., native, he kicked off his NC State career with an amusing beginning.

"Coach Faulkner offered me coming out of school one day," said Bambard. "I picked up the phone and he offered me. I thought I hung up the phone when I was in my car and I just went crazy to myself and come to find out, he was still on the other line. I hadn't hung up. I think it just showed my enthusiasm and how badly I wanted to be here."

Looking back to his eager freshman self, Bambard recognizes his mental maturity over his four years at NC State.

"I came in as a freshman very eager to learn, but I think in a lot of ways I was kind of a 'mental midget,' as they would say," said Bamabrd. "My ability to adapt and overcome a lot of circumstances and ability to have a good mindset, especially coming into my senior year, is something I'm proud of."

Bambard feels he has a lot to be proud of, specifically when it comes to the camaraderie the kicking squad has built over his time at NC State.

"This is probably the most tight-knit group that we've had in a long time here," said Bambard. "I'm definitely proud of that because I think it's a testament to our coaches and how they preach culture and preach brotherhood and our ability to adapt to newcomers. We really like to hang out outside of football."

With his maturity, his perspective has grown.

Bambard took on the "unique opportunity to go somewhere that I've never been before and influence people that had I not played football, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to influence" when he joined A.J. Cole, III on a mission trip to Kenya in the spring of 2018. He has plans to "continue to take advantage of the opportunity again" and take trips like his trip to Kenya following his time at NC State.

In his final season, Bambard is looking forward to seeing the team's performance on the field being a testament to the work it has put in over his time here.

"You work nine months out of the year for twelve, thirteen, hopefully fifteen games," said Bambard. "The culmination of a lot of hard work, not just this year, but after four or five years of coming into the Murphy Center and putting in work is something that you like to see pay off on game day."

As Bambard's career at NC State concludes, his time in collegiate athletics is not coming to an end. Closing in on his Masters degree in sport performance, he "plans to get into the realm of strength and conditioning or personal fitness, but football and collegiate athletics is definitely where I want to be. It fits my coaching style."

What he'll miss most about NC State: the relationships.

"The entire coaching staff has been great here," said Bamabrd. "It's one of the things I've always loved about State. They really make it feel like home."

North Carolina State University Athletics

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