For the first time as an N.C. State student, I attended the annual Pack Howl Concert and Pep Rally Friday night. Granted, I’m only in my second year, but I regrettably made no effort to see Chris Daughtry perform last year. I knew that was a mistake for two reasons. Daughtry at one point on his American Idol stint did a rendition of a Fuel song that closely rivaled that of the original. Because of his high caliber of talent, and my second reason that I wanted to be a part of one of the great NCSU traditions, I was not going to miss the concert again.
As a whole, I was impressed with the week leading up to the Homecoming game. The drawings on the windows of Hillsborough Street businesses were creative and helped establish a united front backing the Pack. Although we were not able to have a Homecoming parade, all was not lost. The excess in rainfall was depressing at best, but the spirit our students have for this school was the driving factor in the success of Homecoming, along with the many organizations, volunteers and supporters who contributed to the events. I would have liked the chance to see the parade and all the hard work put in, but from what I heard, the floats all looked wonderful.
Aside from the parade, the most-attended portion belongs to the Homecoming game. According to gopack.com, 55,342 fans were in attendance. Fans in attendance were treated with a welcomed surprise as the Wolfpack beat Virginia 29-24 in a game that couldn’t make up its mind, going back and forth. NCSU might not be having the best season, but coach Tom O’Brien is building a winning team that is sure to impress in years to come. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to attend the game, which would have been a great finale to a successful Homecoming week.
While at Sadlack’s watching my boyfriend’s band, Skywire, play, I was able to periodically glimpse at the TV in the bar to keep tabs on the score. I thought I was going to be heartbroken, but at the end of the game, I noticed the Pack leading. Although I did not see the final play, within thirty minutes of victory, people were honking their horns as they drove by the beaming red Bell Tower, a color it has not been much this season.
For me though, the Pack Howl Concert was the highlight of Homecoming. Brett Dennen had to be the funkiest sounding band I’ve heard in some time, but its style was unique and oddly entertaining. I mainly went to hang out with friends, but I’ve been an Avett Brothers fan since I first spun their tracks on the radio in February. They played with so much energy you could feel it in the crowd. I was less impressed with Guster; however, the whole concert was a blast and a portion of the proceeds from it went toward a great cause: The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Great job to the Homecoming Committee and the Alumni Association for putting together a great week that students will never forget!
Do you agree that Homecoming week was a success? E-mail your comments to [email protected].
