The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1407083
TRACKING THE PACK SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 ■ 21 www.systemscontractors.com Since 1977, Systems Contractors, Inc. has provided Industrial & Commercial HVAC Services throughout the Southeast. Call us today to learn more. 336.763.8969 • Commercial and Industrial HVAC • Design/Build • Piping • Custom Metal Fabrication • Service and Maintenance Contracts • Custom AHU's and Packaged Plants • Engineering Services • Energy Studies Q U A L I T Y • E F F I C I E N C Y • I N N O V AT I O N ACC Enters Into Alliance With Big Ten, Pac-12 The ACC announced a joint agreement with the Pac-12 and Big Ten in which they pledge to cooper- ate and collaborate on some of the pending issues facing collegiate athletics. The agreement also includes a scheduling partnership for football, men's and women's basketball, and other Olympic sports. "The ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 recognize the unique environment and challenges currently facing intercollegiate athletics, and we are proud and confi- dent in this timely and necessary alliance that brings together like-minded institutions and conferences focused on the overall educational missions of our preeminent institutions," new ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a prepared statement. "The alli- ance will ensure that the educational outcomes and experiences for student-athletes participating at the highest level of collegiate athletics will remain the driving factor in all decisions moving forward." There is no formal contractual language towards the alliance, which was announced in the midst of a rapidly changing landscape in college athletics. The SEC is expanding to add Oklahoma and Texas from the Big 12, and student-athletes are now allowed to earn money off of their name, image and likeness. This fall, the NCAA is having a constitutional conven- tion to reexamine its governance. — Matt Carter In a sign of respect for NC State's 2021 football roster, 15 different awards recognized nine separate Wolfpack players on their respective preseason watch lists. Here's a breakdown of the honorees: Player, Pos. Award (Honor) Christopher Dunn, PK Lou Groza Award (top placekicker) Ikem Ekwonu, OL Outland Trophy (best interior offensive lineman) Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman) Emeka Emezie, WR Biletnikoff Award (most outstanding receiver) Grant Gibson, C Outland Trophy (best interior offensive lineman) Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman) Rimington Trophy (best center) Trenton Gill, P Ray Guy Award (most outstanding punter) Zonovan Knight, RB Doak Walker Award (top running back) Maxwell Award (best all-around college football player) Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) Devin Leary, QB Johnny Unitas Golden Arm (top upperclassman quarterback) Isaiah Moore, LB Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team (community ser- vice) Wuerffel Trophy (community service/athletic and academic achievement) Payton Wilson, LB Bednarik Award (best defensive player) Wolfpack Players On 2021 Preseason Watch Lists Kicker Christopher Dunn is one of nine NC State players to make a preseason watch list for a national award. PHOTO BY ETHAN HYMAN/NEWS & OBSERVER