When Jim Valvano hugged anyone in sight

The phrase “We all go to NC State” must have been written with Jim Valvano in mind. On April 4, 1983, Coach V led the “Cardiac Pack” to the NCAA basketball championship.

After surviving thrilling games in the early rounds and advancing to the championship game, the NC State Wolfpack defeated “Phi Slamma Jamma” and the Houston Cougars to bring the national championship home to North Carolina.
Jim Valvano taught us the joy of being a fan. Our family had assigned seats for every game. I sat on the couch with Mom, while Dad was in his recliner. As Lorenzo Charles caught Dereck Whittenburg’s pass and time expired, “V” ran around looking for someone to hug in Albuquerque, while we hugged each other in Surry County.

The charismatic, animated and often imitated Valvano found a way to win with the less athletic, but more fundamentally sound team.

You do not have to be a Wolfpack fan to appreciate Jim Valvano. His legacy of togetherness and family tells us the strength of the “Wolf” is the “Pack.” Jim Valvano used Wolfpack athletics as a vehicle for bonding the state of North Carolina to its finest sports moment.

Lisa Brown
Siloam
Surry-Yadkin EMC