The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/592698
22 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER B obby Purcell, executive direc- tor of the Wolfpack Club, first joined the booster organization in 1987. In nearly 30 years, he has seen many changes in the college athletics landscape, notably in re- cent years. He spoke with The Wolfpacker about some of the new legislations and their financial impact on the Wolfpack Club, among other topics in this interview. You have been with the Wolfpack Club for over 25 years. Talk about your career and how the Wolfpack Club has grown. The Wolfpack Club has been a constant in NC State athletics for over 80 years, and I could not be more proud to be part of it. Our fans are as loyal as any in the country, always optimistic about the next game and the next season. Our fans are passionate about the Wolfpack. We've grown, and we need to continue to grow. I am proud of where we have been, where we are and where we are headed. What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in college athletics during your career with the Wolfpack Club? The welfare of the student-athletes is better than it has ever been, both physi- cally and emotionally. I think that's one of the really good things. For example, there is a lot more focus on injuries, especially concussions. There are things being put into place to support our student-athletes in these areas. We have a psychologist here working with the athletes. Our medical staff is second to none. We even have a brain surgeon on our sideline for every football game, which not every school does. Recruiting has become much more na- tional, because of social media, ESPN and sports television, and the Internet. Schools that are 1,000 miles away are a lot closer to home today in people's minds because of those things. I don't think recruiting is any more in- tense, but more national. You get more competition for the players in your part of the country than ever before. Plus, our sports are signing players from more parts of the country than any time before. The arms race in facilities over the last 10 years has been significant. It's always been there, but I think it has gone to the next level. It ties in with recruiting. Re- cruits today are more about, sometimes, what they see rather than what the sub- stance is. We at NC State are certainly trying to make the commitment to the arms race as MEETING THE DEMANDS Executive Director Bobby Purcell Discusses The Wolfpack Club's Goals And Challenges