Brian P. Wilson, NC State ’03, Crew Chief, Team Penske
1. Why Phi Delt?
As a freshman at NC State, I wasn’t considering going Greek, just based on the reputation and stereotypes of the community as a whole. One of my friends, Carson “Dash” Copeland, ’02, pledged Phi Delt and convinced me that the group of brothers was different. When I went through recruitment, I found an impressive collection of guys who balanced school and were having fun in a healthy way. This eclectic group of friends eventually showed me that they were truly brothers.
2. What is your most memorable experience or moment from Phi Delta Theta?
In general, I remember having a lot of fun and growing up while in college. I learned what it means to be a responsible adult. My other brothers all like to remember when I rebuilt a V8 engine in the fraternity chapter house, but it isn’t one individual memory for me. The collective day-to-day experiences and relationships are what impacted my life the most.
3. Most influential Phi Delt for you?
I can answer this question in two ways—based on personal relationships and/or through our list of famous Phis.
The gentlemen in NC Delta while I was there were influential in my early life. We’ve ended up with a highly successful group in multiple fields (music, Hollywood, law, tech, etc.). Watching so many brothers chase their dreams and seeing how they approached reaching their goals motivated me.
In looking at our famous Phis, there is a long list of successful brothers to look up to. In particular, I’ve always related to Lou Gehrig’s story. Statistically, he is one of the greatest in his profession, but he approached success with humility and gratitude.
4. What tangible things did you take from your experience?
The best skill I learned in Phi Delta Theta was how to be a leader. At the time, the weekly meetings were not the most exciting aspect, but in hindsight, they gave me an opportunity to learn about leadership as a young man, which I use daily in my career. In particular, I remember trying to organize our volunteer efforts. I realized that, in essence, every function we organized was voluntary—even the social events. When organizing and leading, you have to find a way to get people to want to participate—parties were a little easier than cleaning up Trinity Road! Learning how to motivate and organize my college peers is something that has served me well.
5. Does Phi Delt still have a presence in your life?
I am still in contact with several brothers and have strong relationships with them. We’ve seen each other grow and now know each other’s children and spouses. Some are local to where I live in North Carolina, so we try to catch up with dinners when we can. I’m also fortunate in that I travel weekly for work, so I often see brothers at our races or over dinners on the road.
6. What is one thing you would say to your undergraduate self?
Dream big and keep balance. Hard work pays off, but having a balance in life helps build relationships, which ultimately helps the most in being a relatable leader.
