By: John Brown ('12)
History, celebration and epic, were three words the MSA class of 2012 used to summarize the annual trip down Tobacco Road. The four day journey set the class off to see the IMG College headquarters, the Atlantic Coast Conference offices, four ACC schools and seven facilities. The class was also introduced to over ten sports administration alumni working in North Carolina.
The trip started early Wednesday morning, where
Jim Kahler (’81) gave a brief history lesson of the trip and informed everyone that this was Dr. Higgins 20th year traveling to Tobacco Road. Mrs. Higgins and for the first time ever, Mrs. Kahler, joined students on the bus ride. After a record bus trip time of less than five hours traveling from Athens to Winston-Salem, N.C., by bus driver Joe Lotoza from Gameday Management, the class kicked off the trip at IMG College.
Joe Potter (’89), Senior Vice President-Operations and
Mike Wolfert (’89), Conference Vice President of Regional Properties, led a roundtable discussion and fielded many questions on the IMG-ISP merger. Rudy Allen, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, was also on hand to share how IMG College hiring works.
Following the tour, the class made a short bus trip to BB&T Field at Wake Forest University, where Gregg Boyles, Stadium Complex Coordinator, gave a tour of the breathtaking Deacon Tower.
After the tour, the class headed to Greensboro N.C., to visit the Atlantic Coast Conference offices.
Allison Doughty (Professional MSA ’12), Associate Director of Football Operations, gave current students a tour of the office complex and shared her experiences that led her to her current position and a member of the Pro-MSA program.
ACC commissioner
John Swofford (‘73) was also on hand, and answered many questions on conference expansion and how the addition of Pittsburgh and Syracuse fit the ACC model. After a 12+ hour day, students had the night free and experienced Franklin Street for the first time.
The theme of the ACC continued on Thursday, as both UNC and Duke were visited. A morning visit to the Dean Smith Center provided students with an insight into UNC athletics.
Michael Beale (’95), Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Marketing, and
Clint Gwaltney (’95), Associate Athletic Director, entertained an informative question and answer sessions that concluded with a visit to the UNC Basketball Hall of Fame.
Amongst the memorabilia, that consisted of many items that belonged Springfield, was Michael Jordan’s national letter of intent signed Swofford, and all of UNC’s National Championship trophies and rings. The class made another visit to Franklin Street following the tour, for lunch with Beale and Gwaltney.
Duke University was the afternoon stop as students were exposed to Krzyzewskiville for the first time.
Mitch Moser (‘90), Associate Director of Athletics/Chief Financial Officer, and friend of the program, Johnny Moore, President and General Manager of Duke Blue Devil IMG Sports Marketing, gave students a tour of Cameron Indoor Stadium and shared their views on college athletics.
After the meet and greet, students were treated to history, as they witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in Duke Basketball history, as the Blue Devils hosted North Carolina State. Duke was able to overcome an 8-0 N.C. State run to open the game, a 16-point halftime deficit, and a 20 point second-half Wolfpack lead, to come back and win 78-73. The victory marked the second-largest halftime deficit overcome by Duke in school history.
Students transitioned from being Duke fans the night before, to wearing Wolfpack Red, as they visited Raleigh N.C., and N.C. State on Friday. Donna Woolard, Special Events and Project Coordinator for NCSU athletics, and
Robb Wade ('87), Director of Profession Golf Management at NCSU, led a morning tour of the Wendell H. Murphy Center. Following the tour of the 103,254 square-foot football complex, students were taken to C. Richard Vaughn Towers, which overlooks the football stadium. Adina Stock, Assistant Athletic Director of Team Operations, led the tour of the four level facility which houses 51 private suites, 955 club seats and the media relations room. The class was then led to the Presidents suite, where Associate Executive Director of the Wolfpack Club, Ed Stack, provided insight on annual giving at NCSU and through the ACC.
The class made a short walk over to the RBC Center, where they were treated to lunch, and a tour of the N.C. State/Carolina Hurricanes arena by Catering Events Manager,
Katrina Ryan (’03) . The class was then given an opportunity to hear speakers; Dave Olsen, Vice President and General Manager of RBC Center, Larry Perkins, Assistant General Manager RBC Center, Crystal Pace, Marketing Manager RBC Center and Doug Warf, Senior Director of Marketing Carolina Hurricanes. The day was wrapped up with Ryan discussing her job and what her Ohio University experience has meant after Athens.
Saturday broke the ACC streak, as the the Raleigh Convention Center and the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts was visited. Facility General Manager,
James Lavery ('80) and Director,
Roger Krupa ('72), led the tour of the two facilities and shared stories from working with events ranging from President George W. Bush to Jerry Seinfeld. The class was then treated to lunch at the Convention Center.
The trip was capped off with a visit to the Dean E. Smith Center, to take in the Clemson vs. UNC game. UNC easily outplayed Clemson winning 74-52.
Sean O’Hara (‘10), Matt VanSandt (’11) and
Caitlin Munchel (’14) joined the class for the basketball game. The class of 2012 concluded the night by celebrating the Tar Heel win, with dinner and one final trip to Franklin Street.
As
Dr. Kreutzer ('80) ushered the students on the bus back to Athens early Sunday morning, he asked students what they thought of the trip. Many of the replies consisted of only one word: epic.
2012 Tobacco Road Trip Fun Facts:
- 80% of the furniture in Deacon Tower was made in North Carolina.
- No ACC school is ranked below 101st in the “Best Colleges” rankings released today by US News & World Report.
- Wallace Wade Football Stadium, home to the Duke Football program, is one of two venues to have hosted the Rose Bowl.
- The only other time Duke Basketball overcame a deficit at halftime larger than 16-points and won, was in 1955.
- The Cameron Crazies rock out to Cascada Every Time We Touch, twice every home game.
- The MSA class of 2012 will be the last OU class to visit the RBC Center. The name of the venue will change to PNC Arena in March
- UNC improved to 56-0 all time at home vs. Clemson.
