'You have more fun in red': NC State men's, women's teams' Final Four runs celebrated Monday night

By WRAL staff

Raleigh, N.C. — Fans of the NC State men's and women's basketball teams gathered on Monday at the Memorial Belltower on Hillsborough street to celebrate the teams' runs through March Madness.

The event was hosted by the university and the City of Raleigh. Women's head coach Wes Moore said he and the team enjoyed the fan's support during the Wolfpack's run to the Women's Final Four in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Lets face it, you have more fun in red," Moore said. "It's been unbelievable and we appreciate all the support they've given us."

Saniya Rivers also thanked the fans, adding if she could give them a ring, she would've.

"You all deserve your flowers," Rivers said to the crowd.

Nearly a month after both teams won their Elite Eight match-ups to advance to the Final Four, fans at the Belltower said it felt like an atmosphere they expected to see at a game at PNC Arena or Reynolds Coliseum.

"It was like watching the game, you know?" Jada Williams, an NC State senior, said. "The anticipation builds and you're just waiting to celebrate."

Both teams reached the Final Four of the Men's and Women's NCAA Tournament, igniting a wave of excitement across campus. The men's team last reached the Final Four in 1983 and the women's team last did in 1998.

Cathy Klinc, an NC State alumna who was a freshman at the school when the Cardiac Pack won the national championship in 1983, said the 2024 team's run felt very similar.

"We didn't expect for it to happen, but game after game, they won in the last two minutes of every game," she said.

While neither team won their games, NC State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan said the teams laid the groundwork for future Wolfpack fans.

"Everyone here is appreciative of what you've done, to show that we are champions at NC State" NC State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan said. "And to be able to share this moment with little kids looking around saying 'that's who we are,' And you know what? We are champions."

Men's basketball coach Kevin Keatts said it meant a lot to him and the team seeing the fans travel to Phoenix for the men's Final Four matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers.

"We went to our practice, I looked around and there was so much red in there," Keatts said. "You guys turned out, you showed out and y'all were really loud, so we appreciate y'all."

The Wolfpack men finished the historic run with a No 10 ranking in the final AP poll, its highest ranking since the Nov. 12, 2012, AP poll.

Joining the teams at the Belltower was Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson.

"What a great moment for our city. It is memories that will last forever," Baldwin said. "I'll be honest, I've never seen anything like it, it was amazing."

Baldwin issued a proclamation making April 15 "NC State University Men's and Women's Basketball Day" in the city of Raleigh and said she will make DJ Burns the mayor of Raleigh for a day.

City leaders are working to determine a specific day.