Visit with a purpose

If N.C. State’s leadership quandary has you depressed, you can find some solace in coach Tom O’Brien’s decision to take members of the Wolfpack football team to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Lejeune.

As we approach the Independence Day holiday, we wanted to go back and highlight this story and photo gallery that we didn’t previously link.

That’s a good thing that O’Brien and his players did yesterday, for both sides. The visit gives the Marines, injured in combat in either Iraq or Afghanistan, something to look forward to and the players a sense of perspective.

About StateFans

'StateFansNation' is the shared profile used by any/all of the dozen or so authors that contribute to the blog. You may not always agree with us, but you will have little doubt about where we stand on most issues. Please follow us on Twitter and FaceBook

'09 Football Tom O'Brien

13 Responses to Visit with a purpose

  1. Texpack 06/30/2009 at 8:44 AM #

    We can certainly count TOB as a blessing to NC State. One of my co-workers has both of his sons in the Marines. One is in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan. Both are based out of Camp Lejeune. Perspective is something easily lost by us all. You can bet that many of the young men who play for Coach O’Brien will leave the program with life lessons and perspective that will make them better men for years to come. This part of Coach O’Brien’s philosophy is the foundation of his success because it helps to form the bonds between team members that are so important.

  2. Packman02 06/30/2009 at 8:59 AM #

    Very appropriate, considering th 4th is right around the corner. Seriously, can you imagine the impact Coach O’Brien’s overtures would have if he actually had an administration worth a damn behind him? I’m of the understanding that this visit, and probably the rebuilding efforts down on the Gulf Coast during the offseason were originated by the man himself.

    If Marye Ann Fox were still here (presuming Foul-up wouldn’t be), there’s no way O’Brien facilitates ventures like this alone. He’d have all the support in the world, and would have much larger platform, you can be sure of it; this would be front page ESPN, instead of front (sports) page N&O.

  3. TopTenPack 06/30/2009 at 9:01 AM #

    TOB is the bright spot in the Athletics Department at NC State.

    The department came in 69th this year in the Directors Cup, just behind Harvard. Harvard does not allow athletic scholarships, but does field teams in more sports than NC State.

  4. Daily Update 06/30/2009 at 9:50 AM #

    Packman02: Good points/comments. NC State is incredibly lucky to have TOB. He was a perfect fit for our football program especially when you consider the weakness at the AD level and above in the administration at NC State. He knows what he is doing.

  5. BloggerEsquire 06/30/2009 at 10:12 AM #

    (Depressing) Correction, TopTenPack. NC State came in 74th in the Director’s Cup this year.

    That was bad enough to finish behind all ACC schools except Boston College, including Carolina at 2nd, Duke, Wake Forest, and Ivy League schools Princeton, Cornell, Yale, and, as you mention, Harvard.

    http://www.nacda.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nacda/sports/directorscup/auto_pdf/june29d1

  6. Pack84 06/30/2009 at 11:33 AM #

    ^ Yet Foul-Up wins an “excellence” award from our former chancellor. ONLY at NC State.

  7. TOBtime 06/30/2009 at 12:11 PM #

    When you are stationed at some of the lonely places we currently have troops such as Iraq, Afghanistan or my own point of reality at the DMZ in Korea, you have lots of time to reflect on why you’re there. If you leave unscathed the reflection time passes. If you leave injured you’ll think about it the rest of your life. I cannot think of anything better for a wounded warrior than seeing young men pay their respect by a simple visit to say “Thank You”. I know for sure the young men paying the visit will remember it the rest of their lives and hopefully understand how truly fortunate we are in America to live the way we do. “Men”, not “males” like TOB are getting harder to find.

    Good comments Packman02.

  8. GAWolf 06/30/2009 at 12:22 PM #

    I was never in the military, but many of the men in my life were. Most notably my grandfather hit the beach at Normandy on D-Day and my father-in-law is a Vietnam Vet. I have tons of respect for anyone who gives that kind of sacrifice to me. And it’s given to me. And to you. And it’s not just given to the “country.” It’s a selfless act of heroism just by signing up to be in the armed forces. I admire all those folks, and especially the wounded.

  9. WolftownVA81 06/30/2009 at 12:28 PM #

    Great story. I really appreciate what the staff and players are doing. Thanks guys and God Bless for taking the time to visit these warriors and expressing the thanks that all of should be doing in some form or fashion. We are indeed very fortunate to have this group representing our University in such a positive fashion.

  10. wolfpack95 06/30/2009 at 1:49 PM #

    Great story.

    Here is another interesting story about 2009/10 recruiting:
    http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/jun/30/wolfpack-lands-fullback-tar-heels-losing-recruits/sports-college/

  11. GAWolf 06/30/2009 at 2:41 PM #

    “Ray-Ray” made me chuckle.

  12. Greywolf 07/01/2009 at 12:45 PM #

    “The department came in 69th this year in the Directors Cup, just behind Harvard. Harvard does not allow athletic scholarships, but does field teams in more sports than NC State.”

    Does Harvard play in a league with participants who allow athletic scholarships? Otherwise, what’s the point?

  13. Greywolf 07/01/2009 at 12:51 PM #

    TOBtime Says:
    June 30th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
    “Men”, not “males” like TOB are getting harder to find.

    Somehow this doesn’t quite say what you mean. How about “‘Men’ like TOB are getting harder to find.’

Leave a Reply