Atlanta — North Carolina State University alumni living in the Atlanta area say that having the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in their backyard has given them a chance to reconnect to their Wolfpack roots.

Tim Langston, a 2000 graduate of N.C. State, and others have enjoyed reminiscing with old friends.

“Obviously, the university has grown a great deal, but it has also grown in its contributions to the community, to the state and to the nation. That’s something to be proud of,” said Emory Pitts, a 1955 N.C. State graduate.

Pam Jones, the head of Atlanta's Wolfpack Alumni Association, hopes the tournament will help increase the group's membership.

“It’s not a requirement or just an obligation, but you really feel like family,” Jones said.

Bobby Purcell, executive director of booster organization the Wolfpack Club, said the tournament is a way to expand the Wolfpack’s extended family and show gratitude to the school’s alumni associations across the country.

“We’re all being touched by this economic crunch right now. A lot of people lost their jobs or fear losing their jobs. So it’s really important to get out and show that we appreciate what they have done and what we hope they will continue to do,” Purcell said.