The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/811149
MAY 2017 ■ 13 Another spring season is in the books, and I feel great about what we accomplished in 15 practices. With eight returning starters on offense and eight on defense, our emphasis this spring was on fine-tuning our skill sets and focusing on our overall football IQ. The gap between winning and losing is so small, it comes down to the details in everything we do. We want these young men to perfect the way we practice, study film and handle all of the other duties that come along with being a student- athlete. Daily actions turn into habits — so everything we do has to be at a championship level. I have seen great strides from this team and I expect them to only get better. We have great leadership, which will be crucial during the coming months of training leading up to fall camp. As always, the spring game weekend was a great one for our program: past, present and future. We love having our alums back in town for our annual reunion. I think it has become an event that they look forward to all year. I love getting a chance to meet players from the different eras of Wolfpack football. These guys paved the way and have made NC State a special place. Our current players always love the spring game be- cause it gives them a chance to play in front of their friends and families. This year, we changed the format to more of a practice. I did not see the need for the team to do a true scrimmage and risk any injuries. I thought we had a great day of work and a culmination of our spring practices. Once again, the Wolfpack Nation stepped up to help raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and scholarship endowment. After the spring game, we added almost $11,000 to the total that has already been raised. Thank you to all of that came out and supported us and this great cause. Now the team begins a new phase of training — off- season workouts. I'm in the process of meeting with each player individually to talk about their progress and goals for next season. Our staff will be traveling for professional development and at the end of this month, we'll see where our players will end up in the NFL Draft. There really isn't an offseason in college football! I am excited for the direction the strength and condi- tioning program is heading under the leadership of Coach Dantonio "Thunder" Burnette. I have seen incredible improvements in the development of the team. All of the credit goes to Thunder and his staff. Their passion and dedication to this team shows up on the field every Saturday. Lastly, I'd like to welcome our new men's basketball coach — Kevin Keatts — to the Wolfpack family. I know that he and I have similar goals, one of which is to bring championships to NC State. I am confident that he's going to do a great job here. 1Pack1Goal, Coach Doeren ■ From Head Football Coach Dave Doeren PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS