Mascots to Married: A Wolfpack Love Story

Story by Rachel Young | Video by Evan Kidd and Rachel Young

Once upon a time, they played the Pack’s iconic married mascot couple. Now they’re planning weddings of their own. Meet the two Mr. and Ms. Wuf duos who found their forever at NC State.

Chandler Smith ’24 and Savanna Stone ’24, ’25

Chandler and Savanna’s love story started long before they ever stepped onto the field as Mr. and Ms. Wuf — but NC State is where it became something bigger.

They met in sixth grade in math class. Chandler can still picture it: “White polo, black glasses. I remember the whole outfit.” Savanna remembers something slightly different. “He had Justin Bieber hair and kept a comb in his pocket. I thought he was so cute.”

They were middle school sweethearts, then close friends, then high school sweethearts again. But it was at NC State where they truly found their rhythm.

When Chandler joined the mascot team at NC State, and Savanna followed a year later, they stepped into the roles of Mr. and Ms. Wuf — the married couple of the Wolfpack. Playing spouses on the field while dating in real life might sound like a bit, but for them it just fit.

Together meant leading tunnel runs inside Carter-Finley Stadium, dancing to the band in Reynolds Coliseum and learning how to play off each other’s energy without ever saying a word. It wasn’t always seamless. “At first it was hard,” Chandler admits. “But once we got through the growth phase, we were working in tandem. It brought us closer.”

Last February, Chandler added one more chapter to their story. He told Savanna they were going out for pasta. Instead, he pulled up beside the Memorial Belltower and popped the question.

“I was more nervous getting down on one knee in front of her than I ever was in front of a sold-out arena at Lenovo Center,” he says. Savanna had no idea. “I was not expecting it at all. At all.”

Her mom watched on the Belltower livestream from the Aloft Hotel. Their roommate brought their cats, who made a cameo for photos. A party bus of students cheered from across the street.

“We’ve been rocking and rolling for eight years,” Savanna says. “To grow together like that is really special.”

Chase Smith ’24, ’25 and Rachel Fenton ’23

Rachel and Chase’s love story started the way a lot of great NC State traditions do — with a little spirit and a lot of teamwork.

They met their first year on the mascot team in 2021. Both were brand-new to the world of Mr. and Ms. Wuf, learning the ropes at cheer camp and leaning on each other as they figured out how to bring the characters to life.

“I don’t know that we really would have talked as much if we hadn’t gone to camp together,” Rachel admits. “We had to figure out how to be mascots together.”

Their first not-quite-date happened after a mascot appearance at a barn party. They stayed, held chickens, and kept talking. Soon, trips to the farmers’ market and long walks through campus became their thing.

Being Mr. and Ms. Wuf only added to the chemistry. While there are multiple mascots behind the scenes, whenever they were paired together, the connection felt natural.

“It never really felt like, are we coworkers or are we dating?” Rachel says. “It was just this fun hobby that we share.”

Last August, Chase planned a sunset hike up Hawksbill Mountain in western North Carolina. Rachel tried to steer clear of a photographer at the top. Little did she know, the photographer was there for them, and at the summit, Chase asked Rachel to marry him. She said yes.

Now, their NC State connection is still front and center. Rachel serves as the mascot coach, helping lead the next generation of Wufs.

“Mr. and Ms. Wuf are NC State’s biggest fans,” Chase says. “So we’re NC State’s biggest fans.”

And if the original Mr. and Ms. Wuf — married since 1981 — have any advice for the newly engaged couple?

“Always go back to each other,” Rachel says. “At the end of the day, it’s them against the world.”

❤️ Meet a few more State Mates ❤️

This post was originally published in NC State Alumni Association.