The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527657
20 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY ETHAN MCDOWELL ith college sports un- d e rgo i n g d ra m a t i c changes, the NC State athletics department is evolving, too. Part of that evolution in- volves changes to the Wolfpack Club's future membership levels. Annual donations to the organization fund NC State's athletic scholarships. The university sponsors 17 varsity pro- grams, and support from fans helps many of those athletes attend NC State at a reduced cost. Now, the Wolfpack Club needs everyone's support with the cost of fielding competitive teams continuing to rise. Emily Wayland, the club's director of annual giving, has spearheaded adjust- ments to the membership levels as a part of the "Pack Forward" program that will go into effect in 2025. The plan is aimed at modernizing the Wolfpack Club's fundraising strategies. Increasing the annual cost of certain membership levels is a critical part of that effort. Wayland and the rest of the organi- zation's team want to make sure NC State remains competitive with the nation's elite athletics departments. "To continue to make Final Fours in basketball, to continue to go to Omaha and play for the College World Series championship, you don't get those things by just being mediocre, and you don't get those things by being mediocre in the fundraising aspect either," Wayland said. "It takes a lot of money and a lot of re- sources for us to be able to provide, not only the scholarship piece, but the oper- ating costs, travel, all of the facilities, ev- erything that goes into college athletics." The Wolfpack's "Teammate Club" membership level will remain at $120 annually. Wayland said it's important to keep the barrier to entry at only $10 per month. The "Strutting Wolf" and "Alpha Wolf" levels are going to remain the high- est tiers of giving at $25,000 and $50,000, respectively. While those tiers are unchanged, most of the other annual memberships have climbed around 15 to 19 percent in order to account for rising scholarship costs. The current giving levels have been the same W A SHOW OF SUPPORT Escalating Costs Prompt Changes In Wolfpack Club's Membership Levels By backing NC State athletics financially, fans have helped the Wolfpack field nationally competitive teams in a variety of sports. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS