North Carolina State University Athletics
Yow Seeks 600th Win
1/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Tony Haynes
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Some 842-basketball games and 30 years ago, NC State's Kay Yow picked up her first coaching victory at Elon College. But interestingly enough, the first of what would turn out to be many milestone victories has somehow escaped the memory banks.
"I don't even remember the first win," Yow said. "It's been such a long time ago and maybe 600 wins is a sign of longevity as much as anything else. That was like in 1970, and I really have no idea who it was against."
She may not remember win No. 1, but Yow will likely have fond memories of her 600th career win, which could come Thursday night when the Wolfpack hosts Temple at Reynolds Coliseum. If NC State does get it done on Thursday, Yow would become one of only five coaches that have reached the magic 600 victory plateau. The others-Jody Conradt of Texas, Tennessee's Pat Summitt, Vivian Stringer of Rutgers, and LSU's Sue Gunter-are all coaching legends. In other words, Yow will be joining some rather elite company.
"It's not something I ever thought about when I got into coaching," Yow said. "It's not like I set of goal of trying to coach until I win 600 games or something. My whole objective for my entire career has been to strive to give everything that I have and to have an all out commitment to what I'm about. I feel like I've been blessed with that kind of desire and attitude. By God's grace, things have turned out this way."
Obviously, milestone victories are nothing new to Yow, who is now in her 26th season at NC State. On December 28, 1998, she became only the third coach in the history of women's basketball to win 500 games. During her stellar career, Yow's teams have won 20 or more games in a season 17 times.
"The 600th win, whenever it happens, is just a tribute to so many former players and former staff members," said Yow. "So many people have been a part of this."
Prior to last Sunday's 40-point victory over Wake Forest, NC State was slumping. A three-game conference losing streak led some to wonder if the countdown to Yow's 600th career win might be putting some extra pressure on the Wolfpack women. For her part, Yow has done her best to limit the distractions.
"I haven't mentioned it myself for fear of putting more pressure on the team," Yow said. "I'm in touch with a lot of things with our team, but this one thing I've completely avoided. After the last game, there was a question to one of our players. She was asked if she was aware that it was the 599th win, and she said, 'what, 599?' Then she laughed."
It would be virtually impossible for any of NC State's players to escape the fact that they'll have a chance to make history on Thursday night. As for their coach, she's more concerned about other things.
"If we could win Thursday night it would be the 11th win for this season," Yow said. "That, in my mind, is most important. We're just trying to win every game we can so that we can make it into the 'Big Dance.' Eleven looms larger for me."
And No. 11 will probably be a lot more memorable than number one.
