Coach Kay Yow Chat Answers

Chat with Kay Yow
Hosted By Total Sports & GoPack.com
Wednesday, November 10, 1999, 4 p.m.

Sarah MacDougall asks Do you ever plan to pursue a career in athletic administration as your sister has done?
At the current time, I have no plans to pursue a career athletic administration. I leave that to my sister, who I'm quite proud of and who I feel is working really hard and doing a great job. I just saw where my sister was voted as the one of the most influential women in sport. I don't think I can beat that, so I will concentrate on being one of the most influential coaches. The Lord willing, I hope to coach for some time yet. I'm still learning in coaching, so I don't think I should take on another career in adminstration.
Hilary Howard asks Hi Coach Yow, this is Hilary Howard from Duke University. I am looking forward to watching you and your team this year. What are your team goals this year? Has the ACC established itself as the premier conference for women's basketball, or is the SEC still on top?
I have always felt the ACC was a great conference, but I believe that across the country people may still view the SEC as a little ahead. Let's face it, Tennessee skews everything. If you remove Tennessee, from top to bottom in the ACC we have always had great strength. But, we've never had a dominant team in our conference the way Tennessee dominates. Both conferences have great teams, but Tennessee helps carry the edge for them I think. By the way, Duke played a great game for Tennessee last year and congratulations to Hilary on her play the last four years. Our goals this year are to be competitive for the ACC Championship - regular season and tournament, to compete in the NCAA Tournament and go back to a Final Four. How realistic that is with seven freshmen, it is hard to tell right now, but we have high goals.
Matthew Bowers asks What are the qualities/attributes of a Top 10 team and does NC State have those qualities/attributes to be a Top 10 team year in and year out?
First of all, there's a level of talent that you must have. Then, those players must be very well conditioned and develop great strength through weight training. This is the foundation. Then, they have to be committed to defense. They have to be strong individually as a defensive player and have great team defense. Committment to defense is a must. Then, you have to have an unselfishness on offense. I believe if you have talent, you're well-conditioned, committed to defense and unselfish on offense then you have a chance to have one heartbeat as a team. And, then, you can have excellence together.
Jack Kent asks I hear that you are a very religous person. How much of that do you apply in the locker room and on the court?
It is true that I have a strong faith and each of us is who we are. I just try to be the same person no matter what I'm doing. I think my faith is reflected through everything I say, everything I do, and how I respond to things. It's just who I am as a person. The way I relate to people is governed a lot from my faith. The way I go about doing my tasks is related to that, because that's just who I am. I believe it impacts my interpersonal relationships and my people skills. My motivation for everything I do originates from my faith.
Preston Hall asks Congrats on 25 years of coaching. We hope to keep you in Raleigh for a long time. How do you see your guard play this year? Will Kim Smith or Daphne Hutcherson be able to step in for Kristen Gillspie? Can you give a quick over view of the freshmen, I don't live in Raleigh anymore and have heard little about them.
Kim Smith is in school concentrating on her studies but is not currently a member of our team. DeDe Hutcherson is currently our backup point guard to Terah James, a freshman.
Greg Moore asks After seeing the Russian and Hungarian exhibitions I'm impressed with the talent we have. How do you as a coach go about building an effective "chemistry" with such talent?
Chemistry takes time and it comes from within the people themselves. It is a lot about understanding and accepting roles. That involves people skills as much as it does basketball skills. We just have to work with players in all areas and continue to grow as people as well as basketball players to have the kind of chemistry we would like.
Jeff Drew asks Amelia Labador looked very impressive in the exhibition win Sunday. What kind of role to you see her having this season? Do you think she will see much playing time? Also, what's the status of her injury?
All of our freshmen have potential to see playing time. It's very difficult three weeks into practice to know who will develop the fastest and most. Her injuries have slowed her down thus far. She seems to finally be on the road to recovery, but she's missed a lot in preseason and early practices. It will just take time for her to catch up.
Billy Elliott asks I have a friend who is in 10th grade and wants to play basketball in college. What qualifications do you require a player to meet to gain a position on your team? And, how do you scout potential players? I would love for you to take a good look at Heather.
This is a very detailed question to answer. There are many ways a player can be seen or known about. Some of the best are to attend the recruiting camps - the shootouts - to get your name on recruiting scouting reports. Her coach could make calls for her or she can make her own calls. She can attend summer basketball camps. She can send a tape to schools she's interested in. I would suggest you write directly to the school she's interested in.
Robin Willis asks I think you are an exceptional coach and the patience of a saint! N.C. State has been in the running consistantly for several years. What does it take to keep the upper edge and being top notch year after year?
Quite honestly, it takes great talent, great people, and solid coaching. Additionally, a great team is usually the result of a great program and I'm fortunate at NC State to have such an outstanding support staff as well as coaching staff. This enables everyone to be their best.
Ed Meeker asks Coach Yow, I have been very impressed by the results of the line-up changes you have made for this season. Moving Monica Bates to the small forward seems to solve a lot of problems that impacted last years team. Monica may be the best shooter at small forward that I have seen in years, and moving Chones into the post greatly improves the rebounding ability of the team. Do you see this also? Another question,do you forsee a more balanced scoring team this year? Last year when Erb or Lewis were off, the team struggled to score. Have A Great Season!!!!
I definitely see the situation as you explained it. That is the reason for making the moves in the starting lineup. Monica is one of our best outside shooters, Kaayla is one of our best rebounders and Terah James is best ball handler and most creative player. I think we can develop a good chemistry and I expect much more balanced scoring this year. Everyone can score.
Lisa Shu asks Summer Erb is probably the most physically imposing player in the ACC this year. What kind of year do you expect from her and what kind of player do you hope she develops into this year?
I expect a great year from Summer. I believe that she will develop into an outstanding college player and also an outstanding professional player. We have a saying "Erb is the word." We hope she can repeat as player of the year in the ACC and hope that she will become a Kodak All-American.
Mary Beth Quinn Kirschling asks Dear Coach Yow, My family would like to extend our heartiest congratulations on the milestone of your 25th season at NC State. Having entered your program in 1976, it seems difficult to believe that it all started so long ago. It's a real tribute to you both personally and professionaly. I have warm and wonderful memories of the times I spent with the Wolfpack. I'm looking forward to the 25th anniversary celebration and will be calling teammates this weekend to make sure they're planning to attend too. It sounds like there are some wonderful things planned and that you and your staff are working very hard to make it a very memorable weekend for everyone! Thanks for keeping us so informed. I can't wait until February.
Hi Mary Beth. That was a very special note. I really look forward to see you and many other former players that weekend. Thank you keeping up with the current team. You are special to me.
Karen Smith asks I love the lady wolfpack and I think you are one class act---I always sit behind the team at the home games--I 've never seen so much talent-I think soon we'll be bringing the national Championship home-How can I get one of State Red towels that your players use during the game
You may want to contact Brenda Keene at 515-5866. She can provide further information to whether that's possible or not.
Craig Watkins asks Congratulations on a great recruiting class for this upcoming season. Which freshman players do you feel will have the chance to contribute the most this season?
Terah James is starting at point guard and Kaayla Chones is starting at power foward. I believe that Ivy Gardner and Amy Simpson will contibute at the perimeter. Carisse Moody continues to improve and may see more playing time as the year progresses.
Fan of State asks Amy Simpson is unbelievable on the court. Is she gonna have a roll on this years team or what??? Good luck with the season!!!
Amy is going be a great athlete here. It's taken her a little longer to learn and adjust to the complete system of play here. I'm hopeful that she continues to improves and will be one of the perimeter players that we count on to back up Monica Bates and Tynesha Lewis. We need her help this year and I believe we will get it given a little more time.

North Carolina State University Athletics

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