NC State grad, astronaut Christina Koch cheered for Flyers over Canes. What now?
NASA’s Artemis II crew safely returned to Earth one month ago after its trip around the moon, so how did one astronaut spend her time last weekend? Watching Game 4 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Christina Hammock Koch appeared on the jumbotron at Xfinity Mobile Arena wearing a Flyers T-shirt which was partially obscured by her NASA jacket. Photos also emerged of Koch hanging out with Gritty, the Flyers’ mascot.
But, wait, didn’t she grow up in North Carolina? And doesn’t she hold multiple degrees from N.C. State? This feels like cheating.
It’s true, Koch was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and grew up in Jacksonville, North Carolina. She went to White Oak High School in Jacksonville before attending North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham.
Then, Koch attended N.C. State, where she received in 2001 dual bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and physics. She later earned her master’s degree in electrical engineering.
She even attended the 2023 Final Four in Houston — Koch is based in Galveston near Johnson Space Center — and told The News & Observer she is “proud to represent the Wolfpack in whatever way I can.”
So shouldn’t Koch be cheering for the Canes — who play in the same building as the N.C. State basketball team?
There’s a simple, sweet and forgivable explanation: her husband.
Koch made history in 2019 when she broke the world record for the longest spaceflight by a woman — 328 days on the International Space Station — and participated in the first all-woman spacewalk. During that historic mission, however, Koch’s heart yearned for a piece of home.
Her husband, Bob Koch, is from New Jersey and an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan. The two regularly watch games together. She did not ask NASA for access prior to liftoff, but once in space, the ground crew hooked her up.
NASA reportedly uplinked NFL Network to her station, allowing her to watch every Eagles game. It made her feel close to her husband and his family. She even took confetti from the Eagles’ 2025 Super Bowl win on her most recent mission.
Koch watched the Phillies, 76ers and Flyers from space, too. She gave a tour of the Johnson Space Center to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 during an off-day visit — the year Joel Embiid was a rookie.
The Flyers, however, are Bob’s favorite. He reportedly skated for Guy Gaudreau, a longtime youth hockey coach in New Jersey who is the father of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny Gaudreau, a former NHL player, and his brother, Matthew, were killed when the bicycles they were riding were hit by a car in 2024.
Bob Koch met longtime Carolina Hurricanes coach, and one-time Flyers player, Rod Brind’Amour multiple times. Bob Koch introduced Christina to his parents at a Flyers game in 2014.
Matt Sutor, the Canes chief marketing officer, said the organization was aware of Koch’s connection to the team up north. She was not contacted following her return to Earth as a potential siren sounder.
In a lighthearted email, however, the Canes assured the position is open.
“We understand why Christina became a Philadelphia fan, and know fandom can begin for all different kinds of reasons,” Sutor said. “Rooting for the Flyers is a forgivable offense, and we’ll gladly save her a spot on the siren whenever she’s ready to come home to the right team.”
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 5:45 AM with the headline "NC State grad, astronaut Christina Koch cheered for Flyers over Canes. What now?."
