Three years ago, as a sophomore, Brant Ruben had an epiphany. While reading Wolfpack message boards, it occurred to him that NC State’s most famous coaches were not represented on campus. In fact, many students didn’t even know anything about these coaches. Ruben emailed then Student Body President Jim Ceresnak with an idea, and from that thought grew Coaches’ Corner.

Under the leadership of Jeffrey Johnson ’12 and Student Government, Coaches Corner was established in 2010 with the induction of Coach Kay Yow, the Wolfpack women’s basketball coach who died in 2009. Located next to historic Reynolds Coliseum, the Corner honors the accomplishments of State’s most admired coaches and celebrates the university’s unique and remarkable past.

The memorial currently consists of a bust of Yow and a small garden with a sitting area. Now, Andy Walsh, a junior in political science and co-chair of the Student Government’s Traditions Commission, is heading up the phase-two expansion of the original site to include coaches Everett Case, Norm Sloan and Jim Valvano.

The second phase of Coaches’ Corner will not only add busts of coaches Case, Sloan and Valvano, but also includes plans to enhance the surrounding garden to make the site a more sustainable and interactive place on campus.

“Coaches’ Corner is just a place that is known around campus. This expansion, though, will adapt Coaches’ Corner into to a true destination at NC State for students, alumni, faculty, staff and future members of the Wolfpack family to enjoy for generations to come,” says Walsh.

The overall project goal is $200,000, which is to be raised by the student-led Coaches’ Corner Memorial Committee through private donations. The expected completion date and unveiling for the project is Fall 2013. To reach this goal, Walsh emphasizes the need for support from the entire Wolfpack community. “All of these Coaches did magnificent things at NC State, and we are long overdue honoring our rich athletic history. We hope to have these funds raised by the end of 2012, and every gift will help us reach our goal, but gifts of $1,000 will ensure naming recognition in the Coaches’ Corner forever.”

To learn more about this initiative or to make a donation, visit coachescorner.ncsu.edu.