WRAL reporter recalls being in the middle of the 'Cardiac Pack' craze from start to finish

By Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

Raleigh, N.C. — NC State fans now have sky-high hopes for their men's basketball team after earning a spot in the Final Four.

Believe it or not, it was 41 years ago when the Wolfpack cut down the nets after winning the big prize in 1983.

WRAL News producer Rick Armstrong and retired sports photographer/producer Jay Jennings still have plenty of vivid memories of that memorable win.

Jennings was one of only a few WRAL sports reporters covering different ACC teams in the NCAA Tournament.

“We were so spread out around the country. They had to actually send me out as a reporter,” said Jennings, who at the time was just 24 years old with relatively no on-air experience.

In 1983, Jay was all alone in chilly Corvallis, Oregon, covering the Wolfpack.

“As a matter of fact, I was the only TV person who covered every game for NC State from the ACC Tournament, all the way to the championship,” Jay said.

After retirement, Jay held on to his own collection of video sports memories from that era.

“This was a team that shot 3-pointers during the regular season. This was the first year they ever had 3-pointers in college basketball,” said Jennings.

As he traveled with the Wolfpack team, Jay was not aware of the growing fever pitch excitement of State fans back in Raleigh.

Rick Armstrong asked Jay Jennings, “Were you surprised when you saw video from back home in Raleigh of State fans’ dancing in the streets? Jennings said, “I'm hearing these stories that are coming back, that of all these crazy celebrations! People are hanging from balconies, off of trees and in the brickyard.”

Armstrong covered the local celebration high up on a balcony at Mitch’s Tavern above Hillsborough Street. One fan dared to climb a telephone pole and climbed onto the wires, fortunately coming down safely.

Jenning asked Armstrong, “What was it like for you doing that? I mean, you did grow up as a State fan!”

Armstrong responded, “My dad was manager of the (NC State University) student supply store at the time and had access to the latest printable t-shirts with new Wolfpack logos.”

With every victory, NC State fans' expectation of a national championship soared. Jennings said, “This is the first time I heard anybody say, could this be the team of destiny?"

Armstrong interjected a commonly used mantra from fans and the title of a popular documentary chronicling the team, “Survive and Advance."

Jennings retorted, “well, they certainly are surviving and advancing."

Armstrong asked Jennings if he noticed similarities between Coach Kevin Keatts and the legendary Jim Valvano as their teams entered the Final Four.

Jennings said, “they've been around the block. They've got some experience. They're not as caught up in the hype.” He added, “plus, the two coaches weren't expected to go this far.” Jennings said both coaches enjoyed the position of playing with house money.

Jennings explained, “You know, they've got nothing on the line. They just keep pushing their chips all the way back in. Let's go out there just one more time and just see what happens.”

Just like the old 'Cardiac Pack,' “Somebody who has nothing to lose is dangerous! State has nothing to lose and they're very, very dangerous.”

Win or lose, Wolfpack fans have learned that anything can happen, but they prefer not to have to wait another 41 years to find out.