The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
MARCH/APRIL 2026 ■ 21 The lunches feature a meal from a local restaurant owned by NC State donors — an aspect of the events that helps intro- duce new businesses to those in atten- dance. The menu changes from month to month. At the end of each event, attendees can venture down to the football field in Carter-Finley Stadium to take pho- tos and enjoy the view from the playing surface. So far, the Level Up Lunches have re- ceived a positive response from NC State supporters and also from the coaches and student-athletes who stop by to meet with the donors who help make their success — both on and off the field — possible. "We have phenomenal coaches and staff across the board, and we're very fortunate to have that. Not every uni- versity can say that they have such win- ning coaches and such down-to-earth, humble people that work with us," Way- land said. "They take time out of their schedules that are insanely busy to come over here, and they're genuinely excited and happy to talk about their programs and the university." While the college athletics landscape is constantly evolving due to the trans- fer portal, NIL and the advent of rev- enue sharing, Wayland said the Level Up Lunches help reinforce the true reason why the Wolfpack Club and its donors serve a critical purpose: providing young people with the opportunity to chase their goals. "At the end of the day, we are still help- ing young men and women pursue their dreams, both in school and in competi- tion," Wayland said. "For me, it's a really good reminder of why I do what I do, why my team does what they do, and why our donors, ultimately, are giving back." ■ " 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. 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 furthers our mission and hits home for us why we do what we do." Emily Wayland, Wolfpack Club Director of Annual Giving