NC State in the News Category
04.03.2013
It’s been open for three months. But today, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library was formally dedicated.
Keynote speaker Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, called the library “a Laboratory of human endeavor, a window to the future.” He said the library embodies the spirit of the Morrill Act, the legislation signed 150 years ago that created land-grant universities such as NC State. Gregorian, the former president of Brown University, praised the vision of Gov. Hunt and his support of education. “I salute you. Today is your day,” he said to Hunt, who sat on the front row with his family.
Chancellor Randy Woodson said the library on Centennial Campus is nothing like the libraries of the past. To those who haven’t been through its spaces, he said, “you’re in for a surprise.’’ Woodson added, “Today’s students need to interact across disciplines in creative ways….We created space for that to happen.’’
The library uses an automated bookBot retrieval system that allows storage of over a million volumes while freeing up more space for study areas. The group study rooms are each equipped with large-screen display monitors, and walls made of whiteboard are ready for students to write down equations and notes. A Teaching and Visualization Lab and Creativity Studio offers opportunities for simulation that can enhance teaching. And patrons can use technology such as 3-D printing. At the conclusion of the dedication, Woodson presented Gregorian with a 3-D printed version of the Hunt Library.
Andy Walsh addresses the audience at the dedication of the James B. Hunt Jr. Library.
Andy Walsh, student body president, spoke of the buzz among students about the building— saying it was a constant presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. He noted that more than 1,700 images of the library are online through the #myhuntlibrary campaign to collect photos of the library.
You can read more about the library in the upcoming issue of NC State magazine, a benefit of membership in the Alumni Association.
01.27.2013
There are few moments in NC State’s history that stand out more than the Wolfpack’s NCAA basketball championship in 1983.
We know that a lot of memories were made during the Cardiac Pack’s run to the Final Four and the national championship 30 years ago, and we hope you will share your memories with us and other Wolfpackers.
How did you celebrate when the last shot went in? Did you still have any mementos of that amazing moment? What is your favorite memory from the championship game — or one of the games leading up to that moment?
Share your stories here, and we’ll publish some of them in an upcoming issue of NC State magazine. If you prefer, you can send your memories (and any photos) to us at ncstate_editor@ncsu.edu.
12.07.2012
Everett Case engineered unprecedented success for NC State men’s basketball for 18 years while he was head coach. He brought an up-tempo style to a game that had largely been relegated to the half court. And he helped promote the sport in new ways, vaulting the Wolfpack and the ACC to the top of the basketball world.
And it was on this day in 1964 that what many consider the golden age of NC State basketball came to an end, when the coach they called “the Old Gray Fox” stepped down as the program’s head coach due to health reasons. Case would die two years later after an extensive battle with cancer.
During Case’s tenure, the Wolfpack went 377-134 and won 10 conference championships. He won six championships at the annual Dixie Classic, a tournament that was his brainchild. And he coached seven All-Americans — John Richter, Vic Molodet, Lou Pucillo, Bobby Speight, Ronnie Shavlik, Sam Ranzino and Dick Dickey.
Here’s how the 1965 Agromeck summed up Case’s achievements: “There is little doubt Everett Case’s contribution in filling the basketball program with glamour, exhilarating competition, and high-principled sportsmanship is indirectly responsible for the great success in the sport shared by many teams in North Carolina and the South.”
Case was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 1982, and into the NC State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 as an inaugural member.
06.21.2012
Any Wolfpack fan knows that the greatest sports moment in the history of the state was when NC State beat heavily favored Houston to win the NCAA championship in 1983.
But did you know it was the greatest sports moment in the history of another state as well?
In its latest issue, ESPN magazine reports on the results of a reader survey about the greatest sports moments in each state. In California, it was the win by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game in 1981. In Florida, it was the perfect NFL season by the Miami Dolphins in 1972. In Massachusetts, it was the Boston Red Sox overcoming an 0-3 series deficit to beat the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series.
And in North Carolina, it was NC State’s 1983 national championship in basketball. That win easily outpaced the runner-up — Michael Jordan leading UNC to the NCAA championship in 1982. More than 38 percent of the magazine’s readers voted for NC State’s championship, while slightly less than 19 percent voted for the UNC championship.
But NC State’s accomplishment was significant enough to also rank as the top sports moment in New Mexico, site of the 1983 Final Four. ESPN readers overwhelmingly chose that over New Mexico’s runner-up, Brian Urlacher (a University of New Mexico alum) winning the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2000.
“The state earns the tag of the Land of Slim Pickings for sports moments,” the magazine wrote of New Mexico.
04.12.2012
Need some help getting your lawn in shape? NC State has an app for that.
The university’s Turfgrass Program has launched the NCSU Lawn Care app, with all sorts of information on lawn care, grasses, pests and irrigation that should be useful to homeowners and commercial landscapers.
“When you’re outdoors, whether tending your own lawn or working on a golf course, for example, our app makes it easy to access critical lawn care information right when you need it,” says Charles Peacock, professor of crop science and leader of the app project. “It also answers timely questions about situations specific to North Carolina’s transitional lawn grasses.”
The app will take advantage of information on the Turfgrass Program’s popular TurfFiles website, and will have up-to-the-minute news alerts on issues ranging from turf pests to weather conditions.
The free app is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod. An android version is in development.
04.10.2012
Elizabeth Ann Emery, an All-American swimmer for NC State in the early 1980s who went on to win a gold medal in the World University Games in 1983, died Thursday. She was 50.
Beth Emery was one of seven NC State swimmers to be named in 2002 to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s 50th Anniversary team of the best female swimmers and divers in conference history.
Emery earned All-American honors every season from 1980-83, and won five ACC championships, in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle. She still owns three all-time top 10 marks at NC State. In 1983, Emery won the Willis Casey Award as the NC State student-athlete of the year.
Braden Holloway ‘01, the head coach of swimming and diving at NC State, says he sometimes mentions Emery and her accomplishments when he’s trying to help current Wolfpack swimmers appreciate the team’s history and tradition.
“She was one of the best swimmers to come through here,” Holloway says. “She was a vital piece of the success of the women’s program.”
After graduating from NC State in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, Emery went on to earn a master’s degree from Ohio State University. She was finishing a doctorate in sports humanities from Ohio State.
Emery initially worked as a land development planner in North Carolina and California before returning home to Ohio. She worked at Mills-James Productions for more than 19 years, most recently as a producer and director.
Beth Emery at NC State
Emery stayed connected to swimming after leaving NC State, setting three Master’s swimming world records in 2002 and volunteering with the undergraduate and Master’s swimming programs at Ohio State. She was inducted into the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
Family will receive friends Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, reception to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to NC State Swimming, Weisiger Brown Building, 2500 Warren Carroll Dr., Campus Box 8502, Raleigh, NC 27695; the Cat Welfare Association, 741 Wetmore Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43214; the Ashland YMCA, 207 Miller Street, Ashland, Ohio, 44805; or Ohio State Swimming, 1847 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210.
03.15.2012
Going to Columbus to watch the Pack’s first game in the NCAA basketball tournament? Wondering what else to do while you’re there?
Jesse Wilmoth '04
Jesse Wilmoth, a 2004 graduate of the College of Design can help. Wilmoth works as an architect intern in downtown Columbus, which he describes as a “big, temperate version of Raleigh.” We caught up with Wilmoth by email this week to give you his insider’s look at the Wolfpack’s basketball home for the weekend.
Are you able to keep up with Wolfpack athletics while living in Columbus? It’s hard to keep up with the Pack because Columbus is crawling with Buckeye fans, but we catch the nationally televised games. It’s been easier this year, because so many good ACC basketball games have been televised.
What is there for NC State fans to do while they’re in Columbus? Make sure to check out OSU’s campus; it’s one of the largest in the nation. The “Shoe” is an impressive 
monument to OSU’s football tradition, and Urban Meyer’s new stomping ground. Fun fact: If you feel right at home, it’s because OSU is a land-grant university, uses lots of brick and even has the same signage design that NCSU uses for their buildings on campus. Great walking/running paths downtown lead all along the rivers, and plenty of nearby parks will give you a chance to enjoy the outdoors. It gets a little chilly at night this time of year — bring a coat!
Anything else? While most of Arnold Schwarzenegger would not be described as soft,he does have a soft spot in his heart for Columbus: See if you can track 
down the larger-than-life bronze statue of him. (Hint: Try Veterans Memorial). Check out the Short North for arts and shopping. German Village has great character and is the first community to gain Historic Registry status in the nation. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has great Dale Chihuly works and is a nice break from the city. And take the kids to COSI, they’ll love it.
Any recommendations for food and drink? If you’re looking for mid-high end, Rigsby’s Kitchen in the Short North is very close to the arena. Don’t miss Jeni’s Ice Cream, also walkable from the arena and the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Bailey’s for beer pre-game. Check out the Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus for good food and reasonable prices downtown. Barrio’s next door for tapas. And the Short North Market is nearby and one of the great food moments in Columbus. Thurman Cafe and Schmidt’s are both famous, and have been on TV recently for their great German and American fare. Finally, if you’ve got a car, check out High Street in Clintonville for some good atmosphere reminiscent of NCSU’s college bars and pubs.
So,what’s your prediction for the Pack? The Pack is on a roll, and played brilliantly in the ACC Tournament, even 
with the loss. They statistically outmatch San Diego State in nearly every way and, let’s be honest, competition in the ACC’ss been pretty solid this year. Then it’s just Georgetown, Kansas and UNC standing between them and the Final Four … Piece of cake, right?!
03.13.2012
When it comes to community service, few schools can top NC State.
We’ve known that for years, but now it’s official. NC State is one of five universities to be recognized with the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2012.
The award was in recognition of the wide range of service activities that NC State students engage in. Almost 22,000 students at NC State spent a total of 330,000 hours doing community service work during the 2010-2011 academic year. The estimated “dollar value” of that effort was more than $7 million.
“North Carolina State University aims to transform lives, improve the human condition and create positive social change through partnerships with communities, business and government,” read the citation. “Community engagement partnership cultivation is an expectation of all college and university departments.”
The other institutions in the top five were Seattle University, University of Pennsylvania, Miami University and Carson Newman College.
03.06.2012
Photo courtesy of NC State Athletics.
When the Belk Bowl ended with NC State defeating Louisville, 31-24, in late December, senior linebacker Audie Cole walked off the collegiate field for the last time as an NC State player. Then he went home to Michigan for a few days to hunt, after which he started preparing for the NFL Combine, held in Indianapolis, Ind., last week.
“You get there and it’s long days,” Cole says of the event, where future NFL stars and yeomen gather to prove their mental and physical mettle for NFL scouts, coaches and general managers. “It’s kind of like they’re trying to wear you down and see what you’re made of.”
Cole says that despite everyone wanting to be the best, he was encouraged by how supportive the environment was. Even players from rival teams like North Carolina cheered him on as he went through the drills.
“Everyone’s trying to make it to the next level and do the same thing,” he says.
Players also underwent medical tests and had interviews with coaches. And even if Cole didn’t have a formal interview, he tried to talk to the linebacker coaches for all 32 teams.
Coaches asked Cole about the defensive schemes he played in at NC State, where he was the Wolfpack’s leading tackler the last two seasons. They also tried to get to know him. Cole says he just tried to be himself.
“They know all the answers. They know everything,” he says. “They know skeletons in your closet,” but they just want the players to be honest.
Now Cole must wait until the NFL Draft gets underway April 27-28. His pro day, where he will work out for teams, will be at NC State on March 21.
03.05.2012
Alex Webster, a bruising football player at NC State who went on to a stellar career as a fullback and coach for the New York Giants, died Saturday in Port St. Lucie, Fla. He was 80.
Webster was known as “Big Red” primarily because of his reddish hair, but he was also a big man who wore down opponents. At NC State, Webster played single-wing tailback, returned kicks and played in the secondary on defense for what was then known as State College. Webster still has the fifth longest punt return in school history — 86 yards against Wake Forest in 1951.
“He was a very good, very tough football player,” one of his teammates, Leon Simon, told gopack.com in 2010.
Webster, from Kearny, N.J., played at NC State from 1949-53, an era very different from today’s big stadiums, expansive locker rooms and state-of-the-art training facilities. Webster played at Riddick Stadium, where many players had rooms beneath the stands. Players wore leather helmets without face masks.
“I suffered a broken nose six times; it was just part of the game back then,” Webster told gopack.com. He said he didn’t get a face mask until his third year in the pros.
Only one of the four teams Webster played on at NC State had a winning record. Team stats were not kept during his first two seasons, but Webster rushed for 634 yards in 1951 and 459 yards in 1952.
Despite not being named an All-American or all-conference player, Webster was drafted by the Washington Redskins. After being cut by the Redskins, Webster played for two years in what was then known as Canada’s Big Four Football Union (including one in which he led the league in rushing and scoring) before signing with the New York Giants.
Webster rushed for 928 yards in 1961 and 743 yards in 1962 as a fullback for the Giants. He ran for 4,638 yards and 39 touchdowns during a 10-year career that included one NFL championship and two selections to the Pro Bowl. Webster’s rushing statistics still rank in the top five all-time for the Giants, according to The New York Times.
“He was so strong at 230-plus pounds that it was impossible to arm-tackle him,” former Giants star Frank Gifford noted in his memoir. “People either bounced off him or he ran over them. Every time he got the ball, he turned into a grinding machine.”
After his playing days, Webster worked as an assistant coach for the Giants for two years before becoming the team’s head coach in 1969. He was named National Football Conference coach of the year in 1970. Webster was inducted into the Giants’ Ring of Honor last year.
“Great days, and great teams,” Webster told The News & Observer in 1981.
Webster in 1966 photo
Webster resigned in 1973 when the Giants finished with one of the worst records in the NFL. “I’ve always been a winner,” Webster said at the time. “When you pull the pieces together like we thought we had this year, when you think you have something, it’s tough to accept losing.”
Webster fondly recalled his four years at NC State, where he met his wife, Louise, who died in 2010. When a reporter for The N&O caught up with Webster in 1981, after his playing and coaching days were over, Webster used the occasion to check on the Wolfpack.
“Hey, tell me about NC State,” he said. “I hear that the Pack’s undefeated. How do they look?”
Webster is survived by his daughter, Debbie Moberg of Point Pleasant, N.J.; his son, James Webster of Hobe Sound, Fla.; his brother, James Webster of Grand Rapids, Mich.; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Place, 3700 SE Jennings Road, Port St. Lucie, Fla., 34952.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 7, from 10-11 a.m. in the chapel of Martin Funeral Home, Stuart, Fla., with a Celebration Service to begin at 11 a.m.
Subscribe