NC State fans thrilled with teams’ run in March Madness
NC State’s appearance in this year’s Final Four is one of the most remarkable achievements in college basketball history.
State’s last national title victory was in 1983, thanks to a similar magical run of Jimmy V’s boys (Coach Jimmy Valvano).They defeated the University of Houston, whose team featured future Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. The Associated Press sports writers voted the game No. 3 on the list of top 10 men’s basketball games in NCAA Tournament history.
Not just football anymore
It’s not just about the football season anymore — something new and worth celebrating is happening. Fayetteville businessman and Cumberland County School Board member Greg West is an NC State graduate, class of 88. Two of his children are also State grads; the youngest wants to go in two years.
West said: “It’s been a great couple of weeks to be a State Fan! We haven’t had this much excitement since our national championship runs in the 1970s and 1980s. To have the women’s and men’s teams both in the Final Four is surreal.”
West and his two sons will be in Phoenix, hoping to witness another historical run of the 21-century version of the “Cardiac Pack.”
State’s new fans
Glenn Adams, chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, is another State alum, class of 1981. Adams has said he intends to watch the games on TV.
He said: “This team shows what teamwork and not worrying about who gets the glory gets you to victory after victory.”
NC State’s men’s and women’s basketball teams have gained new fans, including Gov. Roy Cooper, a UNC alum and hardcore fan, who told reporters he’ll be cheering for State.
I’m rooting for NC State this time, even though I’m a dedicated Carolina fan. My love for UNC began with Tar Heel basketball legend Charlie Scott, the university’s first Black scholarship athlete.
He played for North Carolina from 1967 to 1970, when it was much harder for Black athletes to break into college sports. His pioneering role in breaking the color barrier at North Carolina left a lasting impression on me. Scott was from New York and attended high school at the Laurinburg Institute in Scotland County.
I loved Carolina, but I spent several summers at NC State. In high school, I was deeply involved with the Future Farmers of America (FFA), and our annual state convention was held on State’s campus. We played pick-up basketball at the gym occasionally, and I met NC State alum Tommy Burleson his freshman year.
I thought meeting him was cool, even though I wasn’t a NC State fan. Burleson’s team defeated UCLA in the semi-finals and went on to win the 1974 title game against Marquette.
At the Final Four in Phoenix
Billy West, Cumberland County District Attorney, is an NC State grad, class of 97’. He watched State win its first ACC Championship in 37 years in DC with his 14-year-old son Will and they’ll be at the Final Four in Phoenix too.
“Good luck, Wolf Pack fans! I hope your team brings home the trophy.”
Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board. He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com.