MCLAMB: Seeking The Next Level
The folks wearing red did not just meander into the newly-named Lenovo Center without purpose. For most, this was not their first rodeo.
The Block-S script on their jackets, tee shirts, and polos was proof that they had been rocking with NC State at least since before the introduction of Tuffy Face as the Wolfpack’s primary logo. These were seasoned veterans. They had donated to NCSU before and were ready to do it again.
They came to the NC State basketball NIL celebration ready to do more than celebrate. They also showed up willing to spend money.
Fundraising and allocating money to kids so they will play college sports is not for everyone. Tony Bennett recently walked away from Virginia, lamenting the new era.
Kevin Keatts and Wes Moore seem to thrive in it. And now buoyed by last season's matching Final Fours, with a first ACC Tournament title in men’s basketball since 1987 to boot, the duo is thriving like never before.
On one hand, there is Keatts. He constantly smiles and tells jokes. His background is rooted in hard work and networking while piecing teams together on an annual basis. The schmoozing aspect of college basketball in its current state fits him like a glove.
Moore is more of a folksy character. It is hard to believe he is nearing 70 years old. Having already made his ACC breakthroughs with three consecutive tournament crowns along with claiming the women’s basketball program’s first conference regular season championship since 1990, his guiding the team to a Final Four appearance seemed somewhat like an expected eventuality. Rightfully so, it brought great joy to the Wolfpack fan base. It also continues the levitation of the Program of Yow to what many feel is a deserved height.
It was a lighthearted evening, combined with gratitude in both directions. Boo Corrigan even got into it with a comedic touch in his opening speech before thanking almost everyone in Wolfpack Nation while recounting the experiences of last March.
When it came time to bid, the patrons made a point to do so. Over $120,000 was raised, including $25,000 for a hand-painted portrait of Keatts and Moore.
When Moore arrived in Raleigh, the women’s basketball team often could not get a thousand people in Reynolds Coliseum to watch them play. Two Wolfpack fans will watch them play the 2024-25 ACC opener in Louisville for five thousand dollars.
The men’s team will be at the fabled Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas to play the No. 1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks the day before, and two fans will get to experience that matchup after ponying up $20,000. Big bucks, no whammies.
The NIL collective at NC State is most likely in what it would prefer to be more of an infancy stage in terms of membership and donations. The hope on that side is that their work in the field is still only knee-deep, as there is growth potential in many phases.
The core has been created, however. It actually resembles the basketball programs themselves. It has taken great strides and justifies the expectations of NCSU’s fan base. Wolfpack Nation believes that NC State should win, and they are right.
And that is where the Pack should be putting the focus. As fun as reminiscing can be, it is building, creating, and achieving that are all better uses of time. Those who showed up at Lenovo Center can talk their talk. When it came time to bid on Tuesday night, they walked their walk.