The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
20 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN ne day each month, the Wolfpack Club offices in- side the TowneBank Center at Carter-Finley Stadium turn into more than just a workplace. With the bus- tling headquarters serv- ing as the backdrop, NC State athletics donors are given an opportunity to see exactly how their contributions impact student-athletes at gatherings dubbed the Level Up Lunch. The initiative, which started just over a year ago, provides a way for those who increased their donation level to connect with the beneficiaries of their gifts. In ad- dition, the lunches give members an up- close look at Carter-Finley Stadium. It doesn't matter if it's a jump from $120 to $500 or $10,000 to $20,000, the Level Up Lunch invitation is an all-en- compassing opportunity for anyone who elects to climb the benefits chart to con- tinue building their relationship with the Wolfpack Club staff, while also meeting coaches and student-athletes from teams all over campus. Emily Wayland, the Wolfpack Club's director of annual giving, said the chance to interact with student-athletes has been the most gratifying part of the experience for donors. "People are getting to see their impact in a real-time way. It's one thing for us to say, 'You're giving to scholarships and in support of our student-athletes.' But it's another thing to hear it out of a student- athlete's mouth," Wayland said. "To have them be able to tell their story — and a lot of them come from out of state — about why they came to NC State, it just fur- thers our mission and hits home for us why we do what we do." The Level Up Lunches take place monthly from January to April and again from September through December, with about 30 to 40 attendees for each event. The lunches have featured men's soccer and volleyball players, swimmers, and coaches from several sports. The student- athletes and coaches share their stories while also spending time with donors af- terward. In addition to providing an opportu- nity for Wolfpack Club members to see exactly how they are impacting the lives of student-athletes, the events allow do- nors to continue to build tight-knit part- nerships with their contacts within the organization. The Wolfpack Club thrives on relation- ships, and the Level Up Lunches provide a chance for donors to connect on a deeper level with the staff members in their re- spective offices during the event. "We've got a hugely active donor base, and it's growing every year. We're trying to continue to grow it and get new people in- volved," Wayland said. "It's fun to be able to meet new people that we may not have met or we talked to on the phone once. They show up and bring their friends. It's really cool for us to be able to put a name to a face and have a way of connecting and furthering those relationships." O NEXT-LEVEL SUPPORT At Its 'Level Up Lunch' Events, NC State Connects Donors With The Programs They Assist NC State holds its Level Up Lunches at the TowneBank Center monthly from January to April and September to December. Attendees get to meet coaches and student-athletes like sophomore tennis player Nikolay Nedelchev (center). They are also given an opportunity to step on the field at Carter-Finley Stadium. COURTESY WOLFPACK CLUB