The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1466831
MAY/JUNE 2022 ■ 21 Coliseum, undoubtedly expanding the young Speight children's vocabulary with his sometimes-colorful language, the Speights continue to treasure their relationship with NC State athletics. Thanks to the Wolfpack Club's Im- Pack Program, they have an opportu- nity to share their special perspectives, experiences and knowledge on a more personal level with student-athletes wearing the same Red and White their father once did many decades ago. An Opportunity Too Exciting To Pass Up The ImPack Program offers Wolfpack Club donors the ability to partner with a current student-athlete on a personal level. Program participants are teamed up with a student-athlete and have an opportunity to establish a one-on-one relationship, whether serving as a men- tor, a reference or even simply a friend. Bobby Speight was playing golf with NC State director of athletics Boo Cor- rigan, Wolfpack Club executive director Ben Broussard and NC State basketball legend Dereck Whittenburg when he was made aware of the ImPack Program. Immediately, Speight thought of how two of his three sons were former stu- dent-athletes themselves. He remem- bered how as sophomores they were allowed to work with former football players or business owners in a mock interview process at their school and thinking how that was a great real-life opportunity for them. "I thought, not only do I have a busi- ness background, but I've also had ath- letes playing at a high level," Speight said. "I know what those kids are thinking." Speight signed up and was teamed with NC State women's basketball fresh- man Sophie Hart. Obligations with his youngest son going through his last year of college football prevented Speight from meeting Hart in person, but he has spoken to her on Zoom on multiple oc- casions. "She seems to be very vibrant," Spei- ght said. When her brother told her what he was doing, Cooley wasted little time signing up herself. "I thought it sounded like it would be fun," she said. Cooley was partnered with Hart's classmate, Jessica Timmons. Living within an hour and a half of Raleigh, Cooley was able to have more personal experiences with Timmons and also Hart. "I went to a basketball practice and met both of them and most of the girls," Cooley noted. "I just think it's a great way to make a connection between the donors and athletes. I text back and forth with Jessica a little bit. … I would write her, 'Good game' or 'Good luck today.'" Cooley is looking forward to expand- ing her interactions with Timmons. "Jessica doesn't have a shy bone in her body," Cooley stated. "I enjoy getting to know her." Both Speight and Cooley are opti- mistic that they can provide guidance to Hart and Timmons, especially when the two get closer to making career deci- sions. "I can help them with references for jobs, life advice, whatever that might be," Cooley said. "I will help them with anything when it comes time, whether they are going pro or not. I will try to provide them with any help they need after school if they want it." Valuing NC State Student-Athletes Both Speight and Cooley grew up de- voted Wolfpack fans. "As a teenage boy, you start not see- ing eye-to-eye with your dad, and what always kept us so close was the Wolf- pack," Speight recalled. "That was a bond between us. I grew up in the back of a station wagon going from Rich- mond to Raleigh every Saturday." "I was a junior in high school when NC State won the '74 championship," Cooley added. "I can remember I was at a game in the conference tournament for the guys from our high school. I was in the middle of nowhere in the parking lot with a transistor radio on my shoul- der listening to that game. "I've been a State fan as long as I can remember." For both Speight and Cooley, the opportunity to make a difference on a personal level only increases the value of their contributions for the Wolfpack Club. Each see the ImPack Program as another layer of commitment to NC State athletics. "It immediately popped into my head that's something I'd be interested in do- ing," Speight noted. "I saw the value with my kids and having the experience of them playing. I thought that would be something cool to do — I could be active in it as opposed to just giving money and getting a seat closer to the court." "You want the facilities to be better, which allows you to get better athletes and make it more desirable for athletes to come," Cooley added. "But getting to know a lot of the girls, I enjoy that side of it." ■ Interested in joining the ImPack Program? For fur- ther information, contact Mitch Watkins of the Wolfpack Club at (919) 865-1507. Bobby Speight (second from left) joined by his sons Wilton (far left), Jess (center) and Griffin (second from right) and wife, Martha, recently celebrated Jess' college graduation. PHOTO COURTESY SPEIGHT FAMILY