R&B star Common and alternative rock/hip-hop band N.E.R.D are set to play for the Pack Howl concert, which takes place during Homecoming Week.
Acts like Ludacris in 2004, the Avett Brothers in 2007 and this year’s big names prove that the University can attract recognizable talent for Homecoming.
The University must build upon this trend and continue to make Homecoming an enjoyable, memorable experience for students.
But students also need to be willing to put time and effort into Homecoming if they want to make it an enjoyable event.
According to Jeff Gray, Pack Howl chair for this year’s Homecoming, student involvement is key – the organization is in place, but people need to be willing to implement the planning.
Gray emphasized that having more students involved and attending Homecoming can give the University leverage to do things like move Pack Howl to a better venue.
Its present location, Reynolds Coliseum, does little to attract big names in music and is not designed for modern concerts.
University support is not the big issue. Former Hillsborough Street Commission Chair Mitch Danforth said N.C. State has taken the lead in supporting a business improvement bill that would fund efforts to reinvigorate the street. This is excellent.
Getting Hillsborough Street businesses to aid and contribute to events like Homecoming is essential in making a memorable tradition that students want to expand.
Developing a tradition with widespread, enthusiastic support is essential if students want to see noticeable changes.
A coalition of local business, University administrators and a large number of students could possibly provide leverage to move Pack Howl to the RBC Center, which would help to attract popular, well-known talent to Homecoming.
Establishing a strong Homecoming tradition also lays the groundwork for events like the Hillsborough Halloween Hike and establishing a safe, entertaining place for the nightlife is definitely something this campus needs.
The bottom line is that numbers matter.
Alumni, administrators, local business owners and student leaders are doing their parts, but without significant student support, students will see little improvement in these events.
