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     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

"[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

Lee Fowler and football coach Tom O'Brian talk at a Wolfpack Caravan.
Lee Fowler & QB Russell Wilson give their testimony at an FCA event.
Lee Fowler and Chancellor Jim Oblinger present the Meineke Car Care Bowl Trophy to the fans.
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