The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1407083
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 ■ 23 time will be even better because now they remember it, and they'll be more excited to go." The experience went both ways, however. For the donors, some of whom Broussard acknowledged may have been originally hesitant hosts, it proved to be an enlightening evening. The initial results from the first event of its kind were overwhelmingly positive. "We asked for some feedback from every household that hosted a group, and the feedback was immeasur - ably incredible," Correll noted. "They talked about how well-mannered our student-athletes were, how appre- ciative. They talked and played with their kids. "They really seem to appreciate a donor not only providing a scholarship, but opening a door for them and making a meal for them." "I think some of them might have been a little leery on the frontside and they did it because we asked, but on the backside they said if we ever do this again, 'Call me, I'm in,'" Broussard added. Plans are already in the works for expanding the program to include the men's and women's basketball teams at NC State, but ideally with a different set of donors. "We won't go to the same people over and over," Broussard noted. The Wolfpack Club has undertaken several endeav - ors recently to increase engagement between donors and student-athletes. The popular ImPack program has allowed club members to be partnered with a student-athlete and have personal interactions while having a chance to provide mentorship and guidance to enhance the experience at NC State. Broussard noted that they have met their goals and expectations in the first year of the ImPack program. This is another chance to meet the Wolfpack Club's mission of creating a bond between donors and the stu - dent-athletes they are supporting. "The goal is to get our student- athletes more exposure to our donors and what businesses they are involved in, and get a good life experience meeting some folks that otherwise they wouldn't meet," Broussard said. "But at the same time, getting our donors to realize, yes they are big, yes they are fast, but they are still 18- to 22-year-old young people. … They can see in person the name behind the helmet and the mask. It really human - izes our student-athletes to our donors. "In my mind, I hope it makes it so that later on down the road when they need a job they have a relation- ship that they can use and reach out to these folks. In the world with name, image and likeness these days, you never know. Maybe the donors think, 'I'd really like to support them with my business in NIL.'" ■