The Brickyard, usually associated with being the heart of NC State’s campus, is a beloved spot for many students and faculty to hold events and relax. For those of us who were born without catlike agility, such as myself, it’s more like a huge minefield of pitfalls and uneven surfaces to trip over. A jigsaw puzzle of open cracks and treacherous corners. 

I don’t believe I’m being presumptuous by saying that most of you know what I’m talking about, whether you’ve seen or experienced it for yourself. I say that because when I am not stumbling over a misplaced brick, I’m laughing in my head at someone who is.

Now some of you may be thinking, tripping is natural, it happens. To which I would say “sure,” but every day? Just think of going to class knowing that you will stumble no matter what. Just think of happily walking to the Atrium and falling flat on your face in front of half of the student body. 

I know a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into building that Brickyard, which is a figure of speech, but I do believe my actual blood and tears are on those bricks from the amount of times I’ve fallen.

Now before you all go out and grab your grandfathers’ pitch forks and medieval torches from the “good ol’ days” I just want to say that the Brickyard area in itself is very beautiful. I do love how it brings the NC State community together. And despite it trying to kill me nearly every day, I’d rather have it than not, but it is a bit of a hazard. 

Some days, there are more craters in that area than the moon’s surface, yet we expect students in wheel chairs or crutches to walk by unscathed. What’s wrong with good old cement, other than it not being as attractive? It’s reliable, for walking at least, and doesn’t collect puddles of murky water when it rains.

Now I’m not anti-brick, I just wish the Brickyard was of a higher quality. There are days where there is not one brick out of place, but then there are days when it looks like a child’s unfinished Lego play set. Let’s keep the heart of NC States campus something we can be proud of, and more importantly, free of embarrassing falls.