The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1506671
TRACKING THE PACK SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 ■ 15 BY TIM PEELER F ew things pleased the late NC State men's golf coach Richard Sykes more than a well-struck drive, a 40-foot putt or sitting courtside at a Wolfpack bas- ketball game. Sykes, who died last fall at the age of 78, was the longest-serving coach in NC State athletics history, spending some 46 years directing the men's golf team. For two decades, he was also the assis- tant director of athletics for game-day operations, meaning he was responsible for making sure everything in Reynolds Coliseum and Carter-Finley Stadium was ready to go when NC State hosted a visiting team, an NCAA or ACC event or anything thing else at the school's most frequently used multipurpose facilities. Now, thanks to the generosity of two former players, Sykes has a plaque to recognize his devotion to the Wolfpack, which began when he attended the Ev- erett Case Summer Basketball Camp at Dorton Arena. "With his legendary quick wit, there was never a dull moment in our travels, and our experiences are filled with heart- felt smiles and endless stories," reads the plaque placed by golfers Uly Grisette and Greg Alcorn. "Thank you, Coach Sykes for enriching not only our golf games but more importantly our lives." Sykes' widow, Pam, recently saw the newly placed plaque, with her daughters Paige Sykes and Stacy Sykes Poole. "It just makes you so proud," she said. "Golf and NC State were his life. It's so special." The 700-slot Wolf Tracks Wall, an addition to the coliseum during its 2016 renovation, is located at the back of the Reynolds Coliseum lobby, just before the ground floor entry to James T. Val- vano Arena. It is an opportunity for fans, alumni, faculty and students to share their most treasured memories of attend- ing events or activities at the traditional home of men's and women's basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling. Others recently recognized are long- time athletics department administra- tive assistant Beverly Sparks, who served both the sports information office and Valvano. Sparks, a constant figure at Wolfpack basketball games, recently cel- ebrated her 90th birthday with a party attended by dozens of former players and her family. Alumnus and leading supporter Mac Campbell honored each of his grandchil- dren on a single plaque. Associate director of athletics Dereck Whittenburg, who is leading the push to complete the Wolf Tracks Wall, purchased three slots himself — one to honor his late parents, one to honor longtime Valvano friend David "Crockett" Long and one to remember former teammates Lo- renzo Charles and Quinton Leonard and coaches Valvano, Ed McLean, Dick Stewart and Wright Wayne. It's one of the most af- fordable ways for young and experienced donors alike to attach their names to the arena that will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Dec. 2, 1949, grand opening in 2024. Each plaque is available through the Wolfpack Club for a $5,000 donation, payable over five years, interest free. For more information, contact the Wolfpack Club at majorgifts@wolfpackclub.com or (919) 865-1500. "I think Reynolds is a historical place in history, not just for NC State, but for the state of North Carolina," Whitten- burg said. "It is special for a whole lot of people, and we would like for the people who appreciate the building to share their memories and connections to NC State. Space is limited, of course, so there are a few guidelines for each plaque: • Orders will be accepted on a first- come, first-served basis. • Orders cannot be filled after the 700 spaces are sold. • Donors will receive a confirmation email within 30 days of their orders. Please review it carefully. If corrections are required, please notify the Wolfpack Club 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 re- quests. • Me ssa ge s m u s t f i t within the spaces provided on the plaque size. • All text will be a standard size, font and style. Greek letters and other sym- bols 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. • The message area is 330 characters maximum, with a signature line of 75 characters. ■ Treasured Memories Adorn Wolf Tracks Wall Tim Peeler is a regular contributor to The Wolfpacker and can be reached at tmpeeler@ncsu.edu. Pam Sykes and daughters Stacy and Paige surround the plaque honoring their late husband and father Richard, while associate a t h l e t i c s d i r e c t o r D e r e c k Whittenburg points to the plaque he donated in memory of the late Crockett Long. PHOTOS COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS