Out of all fundraisers in college athletics, the Wall Street Journal chose our very own Bobby Purcell to feature in this article. Some may be surprised that there wasn’t a single mention of Lee Fowler and others probably wonder how Bobby can raise so much money since NC State has such “bad” fans. Maybe the only person left out that deserves some credit for the flood of donations and record levels of attendance at football and basketball games is former football coach Chuck Amato (who at the same time deserves a lot credit for the current state of the football program).
Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., is a tribute to the earning power of big-time college athletics. Since 2000, the school has added over $100 million in improvements, including a four-story tower with luxury suites and a football-operations center that houses three swimming pools, a weight room and a 3,500-square-foot player lounge.
But this place wasn’t built on winning football. Its tenant, North Carolina State, hasn’t finished higher than fourth in The Atlantic Coast Conference in over a decade and is 1-2 this season heading into tomorrow’s game against heavily favored East Carolina. These facilities sit on a foundation of charitable fans, their blind faith in better seasons and one man with a knack for cultivating both….
…The only thing that has eluded Mr. Purcell lately is a high-profile team. The school’s men’s basketball squad hasn’t set the world on fire in the last decade either. Even so, donors like Mr. Vaughn, the construction executive, say they still believe their donations will make a difference. “I think everyone believes it’s going to happen sooner rather than later,” he says.
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September 19th, 2008 at 7:04 am
The “blind faith” line made me laugh at myself and all of the rest of us.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:08 am
What he doesn’t mention (and few ever do) is our blind faith is sitting right on top of 2 National Championship banners. One obtained by knocking off the greatest dynasty in college basketball and the other through a miracle. Faith isn’t a problem.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:16 am
The guy could only write but so much. The story of what is happening at NC State (or should I say what isn’t happening at NC State) would take up too much space for this guy.
This was a feature about Purcell, so IMO he hit the mark with this story. I didn’t expect him to even bring up how pathetic we have been, but the writer correctly pointed out that is what makes our fundraising numbers so amazing.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:24 am
“The school’s men’s basketball squad hasn’t set the world on fire in the last decade either”
He’s obviously never heard of…what’s his name again?
September 19th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Outstanding story.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:40 am
anyone have the actual issue of the WSJ today? How prominently is this story displayed? It seems too short to be the front page feature article…
September 19th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Here is another article regarding this:
http://www.850thebuzz.com/blog/?p=5203
September 19th, 2008 at 7:57 am
So we made the WSJ. Maybe now we can hope for a Federal takeover of our fundraising debt?
September 19th, 2008 at 8:31 am
outstanding comment BoKnowsNCS71 – that got a clearly audible chuckle out of me.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:52 am
“So we made the WSJ. Maybe now we can hope for a Federal takeover of our fundraising debt?” BoKnows71
^ Now I don’t care who you are that’s funny,….and perhaps all too true if we lose to ECTC and unx plus have a sub .500 hoops season.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:18 am
This certainly isn’t news to us (State fans), but maybe the national media idiots who take so much pleasure in bashing us – particularly over HWSNBN – will pull their collective heads out of their a**es just long enough to see how wrong/incompetent they are …
As if that would ever happen … They’re still trying to figure out the best way salivate over Handsjob’s ba**s for next season
September 19th, 2008 at 9:47 am
bobby.purcell@wolfpackclub.com
maybe we should start an email campaign to get Fowler out. I know Bobby can’t fire him, but he must have great pull with the people that can.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Bobby is a great guy who wants great things for the Pack. The Don just needs to make LF an offer he can’t refuse.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
To sum up this article: Purcell is the only reason Fowler still has a job. If fowler didn’t have the money to hide behind, he’d be far more exposed than he already is.