The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1285691
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 ■ 17 TRACKING THE PACK The NC State Wolfpack athletics commu- nity suffered a great loss Sept. 3 when former baseball star and popular Wolfpack Club employee Chris Combs passed away at the age of 45. Combs had been courageously battling ALS since 2016. His No. 26 was appropriately honored this spring by the baseball program, making it the program's first honored number, while former head coach Sam Esposito's No. 4 is the only one to be retired. Combs — who played pitcher, outfield and first base — hit 42 home runs for NC State, still the fifth most in program history, and drove in 159 runs, a total that stands 10th in Wolfpack annals, from 1994-97. "As great of a player as Chris Combs was, his contribution to NC State baseball goes well beyond statistics and accolades, and far beyond wins and losses," baseball head coach Elliott Avent said at the announcement of Combs' jersey being honored. "He represents the best in human spirit, the best of what it means to wear an NC State baseball jersey, and it's only fitting his number should be honored for everyone who steps into our ballpark to see." Combs worked for the Wolfpack Club for 14 years from 2005-18, and in 2019 a schol- arship endowment of $400,000 was made in his name. Combs proved to be even more impactful with his wife, Gena, in leading the cause to fight ALS after his diagnosis. The two formed Team Chris Combs and as of April 2020 had raised more than $4 million for research. Combs hails from a legendary Wolfpack family. His father, Francis, was a catcher on the Pack's first College World Series team. Francis' twin brother, Freddie, was a two- sport star who was also an All-American de- fensive back in addition to playing baseball. Chris' brother, Ryan, also pitched for NC State. "From the time I was a small child, my life has revolved around NC State athletics," Chris Combs said. "From being a batboy to working at the Wolfpack Club, I have loved everything associated with this great university. "One of the highlights of my life was my time as a student- athlete wearing the Wolfpack red and white. NC State has always been home." — Matt Carter Etch your name into Wolfpack History WOLF TRACKS DONOR WALL Help fulfill the vision by leaving your legacy etched on the Wolf Tracks wall in the newly renovated Walk of Fame & History in Reynolds Coliseum. • Orders will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Orders cannot be filled after the 700 spaces are sold. • You will receive a confirmation email within 30 days of your order. Please review it carefully. If corrections are required, please notify us at majorgifts@wolfpackclub.com or 919-865-1500. • In order for the Wolfpack Club to accommodate requests for plaques to be placed next to each other, these orders must be placed together with proper instructions. Every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. • Your message must fit within the spaces provided on the plaque size. • All text will be a standard size, font, and style. Greek letters and other symbols not found on a standard keyboard may not be used. • The Wolfpack Club reserves the right to exclude orders that it deems to contain inappropriate language. • The Wolfpack Club will determine the final placement of all plaques. • Message area is 330 characters maximum, with a signature line of 75 characters. Plaques are $5,000, payable over 5 years to the Wolfpack Club. NC State Student Aid Association | PO Box 37100, Raleigh, NC 27627 | 919.865.1500 | www.wolfpackclub.com To secure your Wolf Tracks, please visit www.wolfpackclub.com/wolftracks. wolf tracks half page.indd 1 8/21/2018 10:45:16 AM Combs, who starred for the NC State baseball program from 1994-97 and then worked for the Wolfpack Club from 2005-18, had been courageously battling ALS since 2016. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Wolfpack Community Mourns The Loss Of Chris Combs