Twelve children get set for a thrilling opprtunity – to run out on the field before the NC State kick-off. |
Every home game at Carter-Finley Stadium, just minutes before kickoff, with 60,000 screaming fans, the band performs, fireworks are lit, music pumps up the crowd, and the NC State football players run out in what is a very extravagant kickoff event. On September 19, 2009, down on the field, twelve very excited guests to the kickoff show prepared for their own run with the Wolfpack.
Thanks to Touchstone Energy partnering with Wolfpack Sports Marketing this football season, twelve kids from rural North Carolina had the opportunity to run out on the field at Carter-Finley Stadium with Mr. and Mrs. Wuf just before kickoff.
The kids enthusiastically run onto the field. |
Mr. & Mrs. Wuf follow the fun group. |
Eric Quimby, Account Executive at Wolfpack Sports Marketing, described the event as an experience you can’t put a price tag on: “We wanted to create a platform to leverage NC State Football and provide children from energy cooperatives throughout NC with an experience they would never forget, a chance to run on the field like the Wolfpack!”
How did these twelve become the lucky winners? Well, it certainly wasn’t all luck: Touchstone Energy, part of North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, received and reviewed applications from hopeful 4-H participants that included an essay on why they wanted to participate and their prior 4-H experience.
The lucky 4-H winners run before cheering fans. |
The NC 4-H Youth Development Program provides children with a hands-on, and fun approach to learning through various specialized projects, activities, and skill development.
Nelle Hotchkiss, Senior VP Corporate Relations of North Carolinas Electric Cooperatives was thrilled: “North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives are proud to support NC State and Wolfpack Athletics and it was our pleasure to be able to give 12 4-H’ers the chance to “Run with the Pack!”
The twelve deserving winners and their families received tickets, meal vouchers, and reserved parking in addition to their on-field run with the pack prior the NC State v. Gardner Webb game.
Hotchkiss deemed the event a success: “The students’ excitement on the field was evident, and several of them have already contacted us to thank our organization for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Thanks to WSM’s Jessica Thurston for this capcom story & these capcom photos.
