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Rod Essick ’83Supervisor, US AirwaysHarrisburg, N.C.the space: An addition to our homethat has an NC State-themed hallway,bathroom and main room. No barespots on the walls—it’s packed withmemorabilia. I started it in 2008. Ittook months of customizing it, addingsurround-sound speakers, paintingmany coats of red. I didn’t finishuntil 2012.cool stuff: Team pictures of the1983 and 1974 championship teams.Signed basketballs from both teams.Magazines from the ’74 championshipseason, and a Final Four program andSports Illustrated for the 1983 games.Four different pennants: the LibertyBowl, Tangerine Bowl and Peach Bowl—and I found a pennant from the late’40s and hung that up, too.notable décor: The bathroom hasan NC State toothbrush holder andsoap dispenser, an NC State showerrobe hanging up and a custom toiletseat cover with an NC State logo. TheNC State carpeting is by Milliken.I have a red and white loveseat I hadto special-order from California.traditions: No one likes to be atthe house when I’m watching theWolfpack—I get too upset. I am verysuperstitious. I’m always trying tofind the perfect setting. . . .I switchchairs, sit on the floor, trying to findthe right spot for the team to score.“MY WIFE THINKS I’M ANUT ABOUT IT. I DIDN’TLET ANYONE OTHER THANMY SON SEE THE ROOMUNTIL I WAS DONE. SHENEVER SAW IT UNTIL ITWAS TOTALLY COMPLETE.I WAS SCARED THAT IFSHE SAID SOMETHINGNEGATIVE, IT WOULDDESTROY ME. BUT SHE’SHAPPY THAT I LOVE IT.”44 autumn 2013www.alumni.ncsu.edu 45