Raising Kane

Keep an eye out on campus and throughout homecoming weekend. Former NC State basketball player Tommy Kane will be prowling the grounds visiting classes and filming spots for his award-winning show, “ACC Road Trip.”

Kane, who earned his degree in mass communications from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in 1993, has been immersed in the world of sports broadcasting since graduation. An unpaid internship at Turner Sports in Atlanta evolved into a 14-year career doing on-air promotions and creative services for Fox Sports South. He’s emceed a steady stream of ACC gigs and even developed his own video production company, PACK 30 Productions.

But in the fall, Kane spends each week traveling across the country to report on the game day traditions at ACC football games. Kane said the trips are a blast, particularly when the producers suggest that he partake in some off-the-wall traditions. This year, he painted himself from head-to-toe in glitter following the lead of two iconic Florida State fans known widely as the Glitter Guys.

“We definitely push the envelope a little bit,” Kane said in a phone interview this week. He still finds gold glitter lurking in his hair now and again.

Kane started his campus visit with a trip to the NC State-Princeton basketball game Wednesday, followed by a meeting with CHASS Dean Jeff Braden and a guest lecture slot in Jim Alchediak’s video production class. His agenda includes talking with the coaches and a radio interview.

No word on exactly what or where he’ll be filming in Raleigh on Friday and Saturday in advance of the NC State-Clemson football game, but he said there’s one place where the cameras will definitely be rolling—at the tailgate parties at Carter-Finley Stadium.

“When it comes to tailgating and the big atmosphere before the game, NC State ranks in the top one or two schools in the league,” he said. “Clemson’s experience is also among the best in the ACC. When you get the two together, it ends up being an exciting place to be. I can’t wait.”