Wolfpack, anywhere
Post by Jimmy Schiemann
Wolfpack Athletics
When I first came to NC State University, I was overwhelmed by the show, the fans and that indescribable feeling of “Game Day”. The face paints, the crowds, riding the Wolfline buses to the stadium….this is all compressed into two words: ‘Campus Athletics’ . I wasn’t raised in the area and I was practically a foreigner to college athletics and the passion they represent until 2009. Not even in my most exaggerated dreams would I have thought that they can play such a big role in campus and in life.
Certain sport events consume the attention of everyone on campus sometimes for a whole week before the event, you tend to see much more red around campus, as well as special events (they often involve free food) and of course, there are always big expectations in the air for our dear Wolfpack. Basically, there is no way you will not find out one way or another when the Wolfpack has a big game coming up (and subsequently, if we won or lost).
Proudly hanging on the wall in my room
A particular game last week was exciting enough to merit a mention in this blog. I knew of this important game for over a week (as usual, mainly through the constant social media updates relating to this match as the date approached) yet I missed the date to claim a student ticket and so going to the stadium was no longer an option. So that North-Carolinian warm Saturday morning I woke up and for some reason I completely forgot about the long awaited game. I followed my regular Saturday morning tradition and slept in a bit more than usual, took a shower and then sat down to finish some homework. During all this time, I did not check any of my social media sources and so I was not aware of what I was missing.
Very diligently, I started my homework like a good student…yet during a five minute break around noon, I did a quick social media check…I only needed 0.3 seconds to realize it: GAME TIME!
I wouldn’t necessarily do this for every basketball game, but this was one of the biggest of the season against a very good rival, and how could I miss such a derby! So I did what every good student would do: Opened a new tab on my internet browser and watched the game online (lacking the appropriate sports channel to watch it).
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So my study session became a virtual front seat to this promising match, and the Wolfpack didn’t let me down, what a game this was! From my virtual student section I screamed, yelled, sang with the NC State Marching band, and complained at the referee….basically the same as in the stadium. The only downside of watching the game online was to not be able to rush the court (yet I already did that three years ago against this team, but that’s a story for another blog).
No matter if following the Wolfpack in the first row of the student section of the stadium, at a restaurant, through online streaming anywhere in the world, or worst case scenario: via every 30-second ‘twitter’ updates, once you become part of this passionate group of fans, you will always enjoy the games with such a fervor that might surprise you, even years later. I don’t think I will ever be able to cheer for another college team that is not NC State University, even if sometimes we do suffer more than necessary in some games, nevertheless, that feeling of seeing the Bell Tower all lit up RED symbolizing a Wolfpack Victory, is a feeling that you will never forget.
As always, Go Pack!
