South Raleigh News

Preparing and inspiring student-athletes is the mission of the North Carolina State's Department of Athletics. It calls this commitment the Wolfpack Promise.

In its mission statement, the department says it strives to make sure the athletes can compete at the highest level while preparing them to be leaders now and in the future.

The philosophy, according to the department, is to craft "the best environment to achieve their athletic, academic, and personal aspirations as well as providing support for the professional development of our coaches and staff."

Key to attracting athletes to N.C. State is the clear administration of grants-in-aid, athletic scholarships and making sure they are maintained through their time at the university.

"Full athletic scholarships are provided to cover the complete cost of attendance associated with earning an undergraduate degree, including tuition, room, board, books, fees, insurance, transportation and permissible/miscellaneous expenses," the department website states.

Partial scholarships pay for specific annual amounts and/or a percentage of educational costs, while those without grants receive all related benefits due to all student-athletes.

Additionally, the academic support program aims to meet academic needs by "promoting excellence and effectiveness in undergraduate and graduate education."

The program "strives to facilitate a smooth transition from high school to college and from college to professional life by providing the athletes with academic advisors, learning specialists, and tutors."

The Wolfpack Leadership Academy also focuses on developing student-athletes as leaders in competition and in life.

"We accomplish this through a dynamic speaker series, leadership symposiums, and campus workshops. Our approach is student-athlete centered, with an emphasis on experiential learning," the department says.

N.C. State also strives to recruit the best coaches, with the department noting that "the current coaching staff has guided N.C. State to a combined 57 conference titles and 46 conference Coach of the Year honors."