NC State Wolfpack: The Origins of Fanatical Fandom and the Free Throw Disparities

As a die-hard fan of the NC State Wolfpack, I have always been intrigued by the origins of fanatical fandom. What drives us to paint our faces, scream our lungs out, and shed tears of joy or agony when our team wins or loses?

One possible explanation is the evolutionary psychology theory, which suggests that humans have evolved to form groups and identify with them. In the context of sports, our loyalty to a team reflects a sense of belonging and identity with a likeminded group of people who share our passion and values.

But the origins of NC State’s fanatical fandom go beyond just innate human tendencies. They are rooted in the history and culture of the university and the state of North Carolina.

To understand this, we need to look back at the early days of NC State’s basketball program. The team’s first coach, Everett Case, arrived in 1946 and transformed the program into a powerhouse that won six conference championships and four Dixie Classics in his first ten years.

Case not only recruited top talent from around the country, but also pioneered many innovations that are now ubiquitous in college basketball, such as color-coded signals, the fast break, and the pregame warm-up line.

But perhaps his most enduring legacy was the creation of the “Wolfpack” name and mascot. Inspired by a poem by Starrett H. Ford, a sports editor at the Raleigh News and Observer, Case rallied his players around the idea of a “wolfpack” that would hunt down and devour its opponents.

This metaphorical image resonated with fans, who saw themselves as part of the “Wolfpack Nation” that shared a common goal and identity. It also provided a sense of unity and camaraderie that transcended socioeconomic and racial barriers, helping to integrate the university and the state during the Civil Rights era.

But while the “Wolfpack” name and its associated mythology fueled the fans’ passion, it also masked some of the systemic issues that plagued NC State and other universities in the South. The most infamous of these was the “free throw disparity” that often favored the home team and disadvantaged black players.

This phenomenon, which was well-documented and analyzed by sports historians and activists, reflected the racial prejudice and discrimination that permeated the society at the time. It also highlighted the power dynamics and economic interests that shaped college sports, as well as the role of fans in either perpetuating or challenging the status quo.

Today, as NC State continues to build a legacy of athletic excellence and academic achievement, it is important to remember the origins of our fanatical fandom and the challenges that we have overcome and still face. As the poet Robert Frost wrote, “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” With these words, let us embrace our Wolfpack spirit and continue to strive for greatness, on and off the court.