Jason Joyner doesn’t just have a passion for sports; he’s also an unwavering N.C. State fan. Joyner, a sophomore in meteorology and a native of Louisburg, N.C., said he has always remembered liking NCSU — both the school and athletic teams.

“I love [N.C. State]. I actually like being away from home,” he said. “I don’t go home very much.”

Joyner said one of the reasons he enjoys college is because of the diverse campus community. “Being from a small town you see a lot of the same people,” he said. “[I like] seeing people from different states and countries.”

Although he spends most of his time at NCSU, he said his interest and involvement in sports started at home in Louisburg.

While attending Louisburg High School, Joyner said he was active in sports and received an offer to play on the college level.

“I played football, basketball and baseball,” he said. “I got a scholarship to play baseball at a smaller school, but I’d rather get a [good] education.”

And Joyner not only plays sports, but he said he is also in the process of switching his major to sports management, and wants to add a coaching minor, which, he said, gives students the opportunity to receive training and experience in coaching high school sports teams.

“[For the coaching] practicum, we have to got to a local high school and help coach a team,” Joyner said.

And this coaching practicum won’t be Joyner’s first time helping coach a team.

“I helped coach my church basketball team one time,” he said. “I was [also] an assistant coach for [my] town little league team. They finished fourth or fifth.”

Joyner said he wants to make career out of coaching.

“I feel [like] I have a lot of knowledge [about] sports,” he said. “[Coaching] is my way of staying involved. I would like to be a coach or athletic director at a high school or university.”

As for sports teams, NCSU is among Joyner’s top picks.

“[I’ve] always liked N.C. State,” he said. “I like the Braves, and in football I like the Panthers.”

“I love sports,” Joyner said. “I watch [a lot of games]. That’s probably what I do most of while I’m here — watch ESPN.”