As a senior approaching my final semester at NC State, I’ve been taking time to reflect on my college experience. And even though I’ve never considered myself much of a sports person, I’ve realized something surprising: nothing captures the spirit of the Wolfpack quite like the sound of an NC State football game.
My first game is still one of my favorite memories. Since I transferred to State my sophomore year, my friends made sure my first Carter–Finley experience was unforgettable. From the moment we stepped into the tailgates at the frat lots, music booming across the pavement, I could feel the energy. Walking through the tunnel under Trinity Road, everyone yelling “Wolf!” “Pack!” in echoing unison, gave me chills. Even standing in the long student line felt exciting, surrounded by conversations, laughter, and that shared anticipation buzzing in the air.
There’s a specific thrill that hits the moment you enter the stadium. The familiar crackle of the stadium intercom, the voice that seems to come from nowhere, has become something oddly nostalgic to me. And then, right before kickoff, the entire place transforms. The National Anthem played by the band, the crowd suddenly quiet, and then the jets roaring overhead… it’s impossible not to get emotional. For a moment, you feel completely immersed in something bigger than yourself. You feel proud to be part of the Pack.
And then the noise returns. It’s loud, united, and full of life. The whole crowd chanting as the teams run onto the field, the roar after kickoff, the collective cheer after each first down. It’s chaotic and beautiful, and somehow comforting. It’s the sound of belonging.
As I prepare to graduate, it saddens me to know I won’t experience these moments as a student again. I’ll miss the lights, the energy, the excitement, but most of all, I’ll miss the sound of it all. The sound of being a student at NC State. The sound of a community that welcomed me with open arms. The sound of the Wolfpack.