By M. West Caudle Jr.
Sports Correspondent

YADKINVILLE — A sea of red, braving miserable rainy conditions, descended upon the Yadkin County Moose Lodge on Monday night as the Annual Wolfpack Club caravan made its way to Yadkinville for a stop on its annual fund-raising/fan appreciation tour.

The more than 160 NC State faithful were able to meet with Wolfpack football coach Tom O’Brien, volleyball coach Charita Stubbs, NC State athletics director Lee Fowler and hometown NC State volleyball star Kelly Wood, a Forbush graduate.

Upon entry Wolfpackers were greeted by friends and alumni along with a recording of States’ victory over arch-rival UNC during this seasons’ football meeting.

To go along with the theme of anti-tarheelism a sign hung in front of Coach O’Brien that stated simply, “O’Brien 2 – Davis 0 Enough Said.” Butch Davis is Carolina’s football coach.

After a delicious meal of BBQ chicken and countless desserts the distinguished guests took to the podium each to lively rounds of applause.

Fowler was first to speak as he informed those in attendance about the success of most every NC State athletic team. For many teams, he was able to express the accomplishment of defeating the Tar Heels, which stuck right with the underlying theme on the night.

In addition, Fowler also told of up-coming improvements and additions to the campus and athletic facilities schedule over the coming years.

Fowler then introduced Stubbs who briefly spoke of the progress her young but dedicated squad has made over the past seasons.

Inheriting a squad that had little success before her arrival, Stubbs explained how her squad was close to, “getting over the hump.” She complemented the underclassmen on the team for stepping up and contributing in their first seasons at the collegiate level and how next seasons’ squad would be the first senior laden squad the university had fielded in several years.

“We had three ACC wins this season — a first in years for the Wolfpack,” Stubbs said. A statement which drew congratulatory applause and a quick, “Make it seven next season,” from Fowler.

Stubbs then introduced her star-libero and Forbush graduate Kelly Wood.

Wood briefly described her position, known to the casual fan as the team member who wears the different colored jersey and is limited to only the back row to be a defensive specialist. And a defensive specialist Wood was, leading her Lady Wolfpackers with 486 digs in her freshman campaign.

Wood also explained what landed her at NC State as opposed to one of the many other schools that had recruited her.

“I looked at three things in a school,” she said, “One, was the educational value; Two, was the quality of the program; and three, was the distance from home.”

“I found all three at NC State.”

Wood then thanked the crowd for the support and turned the microphone back over to Fowler who introduced the key-note speaker of the evening, O’Brien.

The head coach, preparing for his third season at NC State, took the stage to a standing ovation.

He spoke of the tough opening his team had to the season and how injuries had thrown setback after setback at his team.

However he interjected a pleasant humor to his explanations and observations on the first six weeks of his second season in Raleigh, drawing numerous laughs from the crowd.

O’Brien explained how following what was probably his teams poorest showing in a game against South Florida, which took place in a near monsoon, he looked in the stands and saw hardly any red and white.

He contributed the State fans’ early departure to the weather and the poor showing his squad had given; adding, “Had I had the chance I probably would have walked away after halftime myself,” with a slight chuckle which drew laughs from the enthusiastic crowd.

O’Brien then described plans for the up-coming spring practice season that will start on Friday and culminate with the annual Spring Game on April 18.

“My goal is for the team to build on where we had grown to last season,” the coach said.

O’Brien then fielded questions from those in attendance, many surrounding the status of injured stars like running back Toney Baker and quarterback Russell Wilson.

O’Brien informed them that Baker was cleared to return to practice when spring drills start and that Wilson was still recovering from his injuries but was expected to be ready for the opener against South Carolina in Raleigh.

The festivities closed with a raffle of several State items and a 50/50 drawing.

The annual Spring Football Game will now be known as the Kay Yow Spring Football Game in honor of the longtime NC State Women’s Basketball Coach who passed away recently after a two decade long battle with cancer.

The price of admission will be $1 for adults and children will be free — the goal being to raise as much money for the Kay Yow Cancer Research Fund as possible, with all proceeds going to the fund.

Anyone from the area interested in joining the Wolfpack Club is encouraged to contact Walter Smith at (336) 679-2747. NC State alumni interested in joining the Alumni Association can contact Virgil Dodson at (336) 416-1691 or call 1-(800)-NCS-ALUM.