In light of the upcoming football game against UNC-Chapel Hill, a pep rally and the third annual Ram Roast will be tonight from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the south side of the Free Expression Tunnel.
The Alumni Association Student Ambassadors and the Senior Class Council are hosting the event.
According to Cameron Guice, senior class vice president, the events are at the Free Expression Tunnel due to tradition started a few years ago when UNC fans painted the entire Free Expression Tunnel blue before the N.C. State v. UNC football game. “We are there to protect our territory from the Carolina fans,” Guice said.
He said the pep rally activities plan to include speeches from coach Tom O’Brien and the football team captains, as well as performances by the marching band, cheerleading team, step team and jump rope team.
“For the Ram Roast, we will have barbecue sandwiches. We’ll be giving out T-shirts on a first-come-first-serve basis and raffling off autographed footballs, T-shirts and gift certificates from Hillsborough Street vendors,” Guice said. “We’ll also have some ram piñatas to beat up on, and paint for anyone to paint the tunnel with.”
Several students said they are very excited about the social atmosphere and the free food offered at the events.
Mark Etheridge, a freshman in computer science also said he “can’t wait for the free food and hitting the pinatas.”
Mike George, a freshman in animal science, said he is more excited about the team support the event will build.
“It’s going to get us pumped up and ready for the game on Saturday,” George said. “I’m looking forward to roasting some ram.”
As an additional incentive to the raffle prizes, attendees to the Ram Roast will have a chance to get a free ticket to the game. “Anyone who stays the whole night, until 6 a.m., will get a ticket to the game,” Guice said.
For some students, support for their team is enough to draw them to the events.
“I’m looking forward to the fact that you get to be around all your fellow N.C. State lovers and UNC haters. It’ll be great,” Wade Meyers, a freshman in chemical engineering, said.
George is also eager to go to the event to show his school spirit.
“I’ve never been to it, so I want to see what it’s about and show my Wolfpack pride,” George said.
Guice said the events will have no problem drawing a crowd and increasing support for the football team.
“Definitely having coach O’Brien and the captains there are going to let them know that we’re there for them and supporting them,” Guice said. “These events are not only creating buzz for the team and way to show our hatred of Carolina but also boost the spirit of the student body.”
After planning the event, Guice said he is very excited to see how it will turn out.
“I’m really looking forward to just seeing everybody out there, having a big crowd, feeding everyone barbecue and getting everyone pumped up for the game because it’s going to be a big game,” Guice said.
