NC State Fields an Inspirational Day for BCH Foster and Adoptive Families

BCH foster and adoptive families, houseparents and children spent an evening at Carter-Finley Stadium with NC State Wolfpack football players and coaches.

For game day, anticipation builds as NC State Wolfpack fans eagerly await the football team's entrance onto the field. All eyes turn toward the tunnel at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, where players emerge to a roar of cheers from thousands of loyal fans. The excitement is nothing less than electric as the crowd rises to its feet.

A different team runs through the tunnel

On this particular Saturday, however, a completely different team was set to run through the tunnel. Instead of football players charging onto the field, Baptist Children's Homes' (BCH) foster and adoptive families, along with children and houseparents from BCH cottage homes, took center stage. Waiting to cheer them on were none other than NC State Wolfpack players and coaches, who welcomed them onto the field with high-fives and heartfelt appreciation.

Why NC State Athletics hosts BCH families

On July 9, through the cooperation of NC State Athletics, the university's football team hosted BCH for the event's second year. It is the Wolfpack's way of encouraging families, caregivers and children, many of whom have an adoption story or have been part of the NC foster care system.

"One of the things that we really push here at NC State is giving back. We believe in a servant mentality," said Dantonio Burnette, Assistant Athletics Director and Director of Strength and Conditioning, who goes by the nickname Coach Thunder. "Tonight is a great opportunity for us because we say iron sharpens iron," he continued. "We are helping each other become better as men."

The evening consisted of touring NC State's state-of-the-art football operations facility, the Wendell H. Murphy Center, visiting the locker room and having fun on the field at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Inside line backer AJ Richardson makes new friends with two of the visiting children.

Players share their own foster care and adoption stories

The most meaningful part of the event was the families and children spending time with the coaches and players. Several players shared their own journeys of foster care and adoption or overcoming adversity and spoke about how the NC State community helped them succeed. Two of the players, freshman Carmelo McKenzie and senior Isaiah Shirley, shared their stories with families from the stage.

"It is people like you guys in this room who have changed my life for the better. What you are doing is big time. You're changing lives."

Shirley, an NC State senior defensive tackle, entered foster care at age 12 because of substance abuse issues in his childhood home. He recalled the love and support he found in his little league coach, Joe, and his wife, Sheila. They would become his permanent family. Shirley also shared how finding faith in Christ around age 14 helped him to let go of anger and anxiety and find joy.

"There's people, like me, who have been through things like you have. Just know that ultimately God is with you everywhere you go," Shirley said to the children in the room. "God has so much in store for you."

"She grew in my heart": an adoption story from NC State Athletics

In addition to Shirley and McKenzie, Annabell Myers, NC State Associate Athletics Director for Communications, spoke about the adoption of her now 18-year-old daughter.

"She and I may not have the same blood, but have the same heart. Emerson may not have grown within me under my heart, but she grew in my heart," Myers said.

"God's plan is perfect, and He has such a great plan for your life. So trust Him," Myers said as she concluded her time on stage.

Autographs, cheers and a run onto the field

After the team members' remarks, children and players traded autographs in the locker room. For the finale, everyone ran from the tunnel and onto the field as cheers and laughter reverberated across the stadium. Darren Murph, an NC State alumnus, his wife, Dana, and their adopted son, Maverick, came away inspired.

"It's amazing to see the hearts of all the players giving back to the community, being servant leaders, and hear testimonies of how adoption and foster care have touched the program," Murph said. "You have a deeper appreciation for all the people behind the scenes, and these guys on the field, that make it possible."

Learn more about foster care and adoption in North Carolina

Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina walks alongside foster families, adoptive families and children across the state. If the stories from Carter-Finley Stadium stirred something in you, there are ways to take a next step. Learn more about foster care with BCH or explore adoption services.

This story originally appeared in the August 2026 issue of Charity & Children.