© 2011 NCSU Student Media
Erin Lehnert, a freshman in business, paints the Free Expression Tunnel white during the Ram Roast Thursday night. The entire tunnel was painted red and white in support of the Wolfpack as they prepare to take on UNC on Saturday. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. Photo by Michael Pratt.
Hundreds of students surrounded the Free Expression Tunnel Thursday night in honor of the traditional N.C . State Ram Roast.
The 2011 Ram Roast was kicked off by a pep rally to prepare for Saturday’s football game against UNC Chapel Hill. Throughout the night, students were provided with hours of entertainment that included a flash mob, acapella group performances and a tailgating triathlon.
For years, students and alumni have famously set up a “Ram Roast” to celebrate the upcoming football game against UNC , and enlist people to guard the tunnel from Tarheels who come to cover it with blue paint.
Rachel Conley, a senior in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, is a student ambassador with the Alumni Association and said some of the ambassadors stay out all night with the students to watch the tunnel. She said the Ram Roast is a good way to promote school spirit.
“It’s a great tradition because it’s a positive and fun way to participate in the rivalry [between State and Carolina]. We’re getting everybody riled up for the game,” Conley said.
At designated times during the event, student groups were posted around the tunnel dishing out free drinks, barbecue and pizza. With music playing through loud speakers, huddles of students mingled with each other and waited to paint the tunnel.
During the tailgating triathlon, 32 teams of two competed in games of corn hole, ladder golf and water pong. Although the winners got two N.C . State tradition scarves, all participants were awarded with free N.C . State gloves.
Between 11 p.m . and midnight, “ram roasters” gathered in the tunnel for the paint job and graffiti contest. Those who participated in the graffiti contest were required to paint a 4 ft. by 6 ft. anti-Carolina mural; the winner received an autographed football from Tom O’Brien.
Jim Gresham, the coordinator of student programs with the alumni association and the ambassador program advisor, said the association holds a Ram Roast before every game against UNC . He said the events usually have good student turn out, but the influx of people is based on the scheduled events.
“People come and go as the events are held,” Gresham said.
When no particular event is going on, Gresham said the alumni association plays old UNC games on a big screen.
Candace Knotts , a senior in plant biology and horticulture, said she decided to stop by the roast as she was passing through. Knotts said she enjoys seeing the comradery between students before a big game.
“It’s fun to experience all that goes on before the Carolina game; plus there’s free food,” Knotts said.
The N.C . State Alumni Association and the Student Ambassador Program sponsored the long-established event that brought students and alumni together to protect the Free Expression Tunnel from invading Carolina-blue paint cans.