"...one of the best Athletic Directors in the country. He has tremendous respect among our ACC Athletic Directors and nationally."
-John Swafford, ACC Commissioner
During his tenure, Fowler oversaw the completion of a $133 million building campaign to bring NCSU facilities up to par with the elite within the NCAA, the ACC, and other top BCS Football programs. The most notable were the $98 million of improvements to the Carter-Finley Stadium as well as the Murphy Center that houses the football program and Vaughn Towers that offers luxury suites and club seats (see below for pictures). This was accomplished while maintaining a balanced budget for the university.
It started in 2001 when Fowler spearheaded a major football ticket campaign, selling out the entire season for the first time in school history. The football program continued that string of sellouts for an additional nine years.
In addition to the increased fan support of the football program, Fowler focused on fundraising for the athletic program. In 2000, total giving was $13.4 million, but in 2008 the total fundraising eclipsed $23.1 million, by over 21,000 members, and was only one of four schools to ever reach the 20,000 member plateau.
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The success that Fowler brought to the NCSU football program was matched in the Men's Basketball program. During Fowler's tenure, the basketball program ranked in the Top 20 in overall attendance and surpassed the landmark $5 million in sales from 2006 through the 2010 seasons.
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The results of his tireless efforts are now exhibited in all 23 men's and women's sports venues at NCSU. Fowler's goal of providing top notched facilities is matched with his high level of expectations and support as his coaches prepare for their respective seasons. These expectations were matched with an equal emphasis on NCAA compliance as well as the total development of the student-athlete.
The implementation of his facility plan was matched with additional support on and off the competitive playing field. All student-athletes are now able to take advantage of state of the art academic support, study centers, and increased academic support staffing.
Furthermore, new multiple sports-medicine facilities, new locker rooms, multiple strength training facilities, student-athlete lounge area, and expanded support services that included video, marketing, and media relations were added for student athletes. This total athlete concept has resulted in historic success for NCSU Athletics; in the 2000-01 season, 16 sports qualified for postseason play; 13 sports in 2004-05 and a record 17 in 2005-06, while 15 sports qualified in 2006-07 and 14 in 2007-08.
In addition to supporting the athletic programs with world-class facilities and unsurpassed support on and off the field, Fowler made it a priority to host NCAA Championship events. NCSU hosted the first and second rounds of the Division 1 NCAA Men's Basketball tournament in 2008 and hosted the NCAA Baseball regional for the first time in school history in the Spring of 2009
"The University can be very proud of the condition of the facilities for each sport. The scope and timeframe for these improvements is nothing short of spectacular."
-Donn. R. Ward, Ph.D.
Chair, Council on Athletics, North Carolina State University
The 103,254-square-foot complex houses every aspect of Wolfpack football, from sports medicine, equipment, academics, to the Gunter / Blank Family Strength & Conditioning Center.
Before and After : Vaughn Towers dominates the skyline around Carter-Finley Stadium as it rises above the west stands. The 117,000 square-foot structure, which stretches from end zone to end zone, includes four levels, 51 private luxury suites and 955 club seats, as well as a University Suite for the Chancellor. The state-of-the-art facility also includes accommodations for the media, with 112 press seats.
The $3 million complex features a wide variety of amenities for players and spectators. Some of these amenities include six lighted, red-surfaced courts, decorated with NC State logos and red screens and awnings. There is chair back seating available for up to 1,000 spectators. An electronic scoreboard, visible from all seats, shows live scoring from all matches. Restrooms and designated concession areas are accessible to all fans.
The Dail Men's Basketball facility is a beautiful on-campus complex that contains practice courts, a luxurious locker room, coaches' offices, team meeting rooms and a player lounge. A video archive is also located at this facility, as well as a balcony that overlooks the courts.
JW Isenhour Indoor Tennis Facility is 30,000 sq. ft. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) awarded it with an Outstanding Facility award in 2004. One of only four collegiate complexes to receive the honor. The facility was designed exclusively for use by the men’s and women’s tennis programs at NC State and meets all of the standards set by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
The Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium features a lengthy and spacious concourse with concessions, ample rest rooms, multiple ticket booths and storage rooms. A modern press box features comfortable accommodations for working media and game day staff, as well as high-speed internet access. The outfield playing surface is comprised of 419 bermuda grass, with perennial rye grass. Stadium lights surround the yard, allowing for games to be played at all hours.
State-of-the-art strength training facility and sports medicine complex. The Medical area features : Computerized Isokinetic, Joint and Muscle Assessment System, Hydroworx Underwater Treadmill System with Video and Computer Control, Upper Body Ergometer Stationary Bicycle Shuttle 2000-1, with 6 Stations: Ultrasound, Electrotherapy, Cryotherapy, Compression Units, Taping and Wound Management.
Before and After Aerial Views of the $98 million of improvements to Carter-Finley Football Stadium
Wolfpack soccer stadium is located inside NC State's track under stadium lights and is able to play night games for the first time in school history. The complex features a new scoreboard, equipped with full-Matrix capabilities. Seatback chairs were added to the stadium and a press box, new fan entrance and a brand-new stand alone building in the southeast corner of the stadium provides both the Pack and its competitors meeting and locker rooms.
"[He has] earned the respect and admiration of the members of the Council on Athletics. We wish to thank him for all that he has done in improving the relationships between the athletic program and all other segments of the University."
-Donn. R. Ward, Ph.D.
Chair, Council on Athletics
North Carolina State University