North Carolina State University Athletics
Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund Information
12/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Mission:
The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund is a 501 c(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against cancer through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.
Announcement:
The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund will be announced during The Jimmy V Classic on December 3, where Rutgers will face Maryland. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, will raise money in the fight against cancer. It was appropriate to announce this Fund during the Jimmy V Classic because of the connection between Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State men’s head basketball coach, and Kay Yow, North Carolina State women’s basketball coach.
Donation Information:
Donations to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund can be made by calling 1-800-4JimmyV or by donating online at www.JimmyV.org.
Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund Quick Facts
1. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund launched on December 3, 2007, as the first women’s initiative that the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has chosen in its 26-year history. The Fund is also the newest women’s initiative for The V Foundation.
2. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund will raise money for scientific research and to assist the underserved in an effort to fight against cancer.
3. The WBCA and The V Foundation will provide an Event-in-a-Box campaign to raise money for the Fund. WBCA members, institutions, fans and communities will be challenged to run one of these events each year.
4. The first national event, titled the 4Kay Run/Walk, will be part of the NCAA activities on Super Saturday, April 5, during the 2008 Women’s Final Four week and the WBCA National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Kay Yow Quick Facts
Kay Yow, North Carolina State University head women’s basketball coach, is a past president and founding member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), and a galvanizing voice for the Association. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and is currently battling the disease for the third time.
The 2006-07 season, her 32nd with the Pack, may have been the most tumultuous to date, but also maybe the most rewarding. Four games into the season, Yow was forced to take a leave of absence because of progression in her breast cancer. In all, Yow missed 16 games before making a triumphant return to the bench in a Wolfpack win over long-time rival Virginia on January 26.
The club began to feed off the emotion that Yow returned with and led her troops to 10 wins in their next 11 games, which included her 700th career victory and a win over No. 2 North Carolina. That evening on Senior Night, the Reynolds Coliseum court was christened “Kay Yow Court”. Not to be out done, two weeks later the Pack downed the then unbeaten and top-ranked Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament. From that point on, the Wolfpack were the darlings of the women’s basketball world. With fans rooting for NC State from across the country, the club earned its 11th trip to the “Sweet 16”.
In her 36 years as a head coach at the college-level, Yow is one of only six Division I head women’s basketball mentors to achieve 700 career victories. Yow has guided her squads to 20 of the 26 NCAA Tournaments, 11 trips to the Sweet 16, and a trip to the Elite Eight and Final Four in 1998. Yow is part of an elite group of eight Olympic coaches chosen to lead USA Basketball in the pursuit of an Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball. Yow won the inaugural Jimmy V ESPY for Perseverance at the 2007 ESPY Awards. Yow has been named national Coach of the Year eight times. She is a member of numerous halls of fame, including the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Fame, the AIA Hall of Faith, the Raleigh Sports Hall of Fame, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Kay Yow Quotes
“I am so honored and blessed to have the opportunity to establish the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in partnership with The V Foundation. Despite all the games that I have coached and all the great opponents that I have battled on the court, breast cancer has by far been the toughest opponent I have faced. My hope is that this funding will help to change the lives of many men and women who face this opponent daily. Cancer is something that touches everyone’s life and it is important to understand that we all can make a difference. Each of you can be a part of finding an answer. Join me today and let’s beat cancer once and for all!”
“I want to do something. I want to be a part of finding an answer.”
“I feel like I had zero control over getting cancer, but I have 100 percent control over how I will respond to dealing with cancer.”
“When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.”
“Kay, don’t wallow in self pity. You know you will drown. It’s ok at moments to have some pity but swish your feet and get out. Just swish and get out”
“I normally shun the spotlight, but I don’t mind being the platform.”
“I want the WBCA to help find a cure.”
“I have a big vision. I want people to know that the coaches of women’s teams are stepping forward to commit to making a difference. We have coaches who have breast cancer or have been affected by breast cancer, and we will have more in the future. If we push we can make a difference. I want people to hear WBCA and think about helping people.”
“I’m battling an opponent, the greatest opponent, the greatest foe that I’ve battled. The home court of the archrival is nothing in comparison to this.”
Other Quotes
Nick Valvano (The V Foundation Chief Executive Officer) - "It seems so natural that The V Foundation would team up with Jim's friend and North Carolina State University coaching colleague to fight this disease. Kay and Jim shared a passion for winning and that passion will now also be applied to fighting cancer with hopefully the same winning result they had on the court.”
Beth Bass (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Chief Executive Officer) - “The WBCA is ecstatic to be part of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Kay has been a great leader and friend to the WBCA for many years. This Fund will take our Association to another level for a much greater cause. I am certain that our membership will embrace this new and exciting initiative and get very involved in making a difference beyond the court.”
Pat Summitt (University of Tennessee head women’s basketball coach) “Kay Yow is a pioneer of the game. She provided leadership. She’s admired and respected by her peers. She’s been a role model, not only as a basketball coach, but more importantly now in her fight against breast cancer. She’s passionate. Her kids love her and they love playing in that program and that is how she touches people in so many different ways. It’s not just with cancer, but what she does on a daily basis to impact and influence others.”
Geno Auriemma (University of Connecticut head women’s basketball coach) “Kay fought really hard as a player, as a coach, and the fact she’s been fighting this now just as hard and just as competitive appeals to your competitive spirit as a coach. Kay is in the fight of her life and you want to be in that corner. You want to be part of that fight.”
Media Contact Information:
Summer McKesson
WBCA Manager of Communications
770-279-8027 x112
smckesson@wbca.org
The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund is a 501 c(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against cancer through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.
Announcement:
The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund will be announced during The Jimmy V Classic on December 3, where Rutgers will face Maryland. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, will raise money in the fight against cancer. It was appropriate to announce this Fund during the Jimmy V Classic because of the connection between Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State men’s head basketball coach, and Kay Yow, North Carolina State women’s basketball coach.
Donation Information:
Donations to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund can be made by calling 1-800-4JimmyV or by donating online at www.JimmyV.org.
Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund Quick Facts
1. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund launched on December 3, 2007, as the first women’s initiative that the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has chosen in its 26-year history. The Fund is also the newest women’s initiative for The V Foundation.
2. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund will raise money for scientific research and to assist the underserved in an effort to fight against cancer.
3. The WBCA and The V Foundation will provide an Event-in-a-Box campaign to raise money for the Fund. WBCA members, institutions, fans and communities will be challenged to run one of these events each year.
4. The first national event, titled the 4Kay Run/Walk, will be part of the NCAA activities on Super Saturday, April 5, during the 2008 Women’s Final Four week and the WBCA National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Kay Yow Quick Facts
Kay Yow, North Carolina State University head women’s basketball coach, is a past president and founding member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), and a galvanizing voice for the Association. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and is currently battling the disease for the third time.
The 2006-07 season, her 32nd with the Pack, may have been the most tumultuous to date, but also maybe the most rewarding. Four games into the season, Yow was forced to take a leave of absence because of progression in her breast cancer. In all, Yow missed 16 games before making a triumphant return to the bench in a Wolfpack win over long-time rival Virginia on January 26.
The club began to feed off the emotion that Yow returned with and led her troops to 10 wins in their next 11 games, which included her 700th career victory and a win over No. 2 North Carolina. That evening on Senior Night, the Reynolds Coliseum court was christened “Kay Yow Court”. Not to be out done, two weeks later the Pack downed the then unbeaten and top-ranked Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament. From that point on, the Wolfpack were the darlings of the women’s basketball world. With fans rooting for NC State from across the country, the club earned its 11th trip to the “Sweet 16”.
In her 36 years as a head coach at the college-level, Yow is one of only six Division I head women’s basketball mentors to achieve 700 career victories. Yow has guided her squads to 20 of the 26 NCAA Tournaments, 11 trips to the Sweet 16, and a trip to the Elite Eight and Final Four in 1998. Yow is part of an elite group of eight Olympic coaches chosen to lead USA Basketball in the pursuit of an Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball. Yow won the inaugural Jimmy V ESPY for Perseverance at the 2007 ESPY Awards. Yow has been named national Coach of the Year eight times. She is a member of numerous halls of fame, including the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Fame, the AIA Hall of Faith, the Raleigh Sports Hall of Fame, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Kay Yow Quotes
“I am so honored and blessed to have the opportunity to establish the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in partnership with The V Foundation. Despite all the games that I have coached and all the great opponents that I have battled on the court, breast cancer has by far been the toughest opponent I have faced. My hope is that this funding will help to change the lives of many men and women who face this opponent daily. Cancer is something that touches everyone’s life and it is important to understand that we all can make a difference. Each of you can be a part of finding an answer. Join me today and let’s beat cancer once and for all!”
“I want to do something. I want to be a part of finding an answer.”
“I feel like I had zero control over getting cancer, but I have 100 percent control over how I will respond to dealing with cancer.”
“When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.”
“Kay, don’t wallow in self pity. You know you will drown. It’s ok at moments to have some pity but swish your feet and get out. Just swish and get out”
“I normally shun the spotlight, but I don’t mind being the platform.”
“I want the WBCA to help find a cure.”
“I have a big vision. I want people to know that the coaches of women’s teams are stepping forward to commit to making a difference. We have coaches who have breast cancer or have been affected by breast cancer, and we will have more in the future. If we push we can make a difference. I want people to hear WBCA and think about helping people.”
“I’m battling an opponent, the greatest opponent, the greatest foe that I’ve battled. The home court of the archrival is nothing in comparison to this.”
Other Quotes
Nick Valvano (The V Foundation Chief Executive Officer) - "It seems so natural that The V Foundation would team up with Jim's friend and North Carolina State University coaching colleague to fight this disease. Kay and Jim shared a passion for winning and that passion will now also be applied to fighting cancer with hopefully the same winning result they had on the court.”
Beth Bass (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Chief Executive Officer) - “The WBCA is ecstatic to be part of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Kay has been a great leader and friend to the WBCA for many years. This Fund will take our Association to another level for a much greater cause. I am certain that our membership will embrace this new and exciting initiative and get very involved in making a difference beyond the court.”
Pat Summitt (University of Tennessee head women’s basketball coach) “Kay Yow is a pioneer of the game. She provided leadership. She’s admired and respected by her peers. She’s been a role model, not only as a basketball coach, but more importantly now in her fight against breast cancer. She’s passionate. Her kids love her and they love playing in that program and that is how she touches people in so many different ways. It’s not just with cancer, but what she does on a daily basis to impact and influence others.”
Geno Auriemma (University of Connecticut head women’s basketball coach) “Kay fought really hard as a player, as a coach, and the fact she’s been fighting this now just as hard and just as competitive appeals to your competitive spirit as a coach. Kay is in the fight of her life and you want to be in that corner. You want to be part of that fight.”
Media Contact Information:
Summer McKesson
WBCA Manager of Communications
770-279-8027 x112
smckesson@wbca.org
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