North Carolina State University Athletics
Coach Yow to Receive Naismith Sportsmanship Award
5/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
May 12, 2011
Legendary coaches Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith and the late Kay Yow will be honored with the distinguished Dr. James A. Naismith Good Sportsmanship Award in a once-in-a-lifetime event on Wednesday, June 29, at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
Presented by the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame and the Naismith International Basketball Foundation, the event gets under way at 6:30 p.m. with a lavish reception and a silent auction of sports memorabilia. The awards show begins at 8 p.m.
A native of Gibsonville, N.C., Yow led the U.S. women's basketball team to a gold medal in 1988, directed her Wolfpack club to the 1998 Final Four and in 2002, became just the fifth female coach inducted into the James Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Her NC State record of 680-325 left her as one of only three women's coaches at the Division I level to coach 1,000 games at one institution. On Dec. 14, 2008, in a victory over Ole Miss, Coach Yow took her place alongside legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and former Texas coach Jody Condradt.
Yow's all-time collegiate record of 737-344 spanned 38 seasons - 34 at NC State (1975-2009) and four with Elon College.
Tickets, available only through Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com), range from $71 to $146 (plus service charges), and are good for the reception, silent auction and show.
"This is a night when Tobacco Road rivalries take a back seat," said Nat Walker, president of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame. "Without question, this is a special occasion to celebrate the remarkable and lasting achievements of three
extraordinary coaches whose contributions have meant so much to our state."
Ian Naismith, the grandson of basketball's founding father, will be on hand to formally present the award to each recipient. NC State Athletics Director Debbie Yow will accept on her sister's behalf.
Video tributes will honor each of the recipients, who will be joined on stage by former players. Bobby Cremins, the former Appalachian State and Georgia Tech coach and now coach at the College of Charleston, will be the night's keynote speaker. Closing remarks will come from ACC Commissioner John Swofford.
The Naismith Good Sportsmanship Award honors individuals for their displays of sportsmanship on and off the court, positive contributions to the game and a lifelong dedication to the sport. In addition to Williams, past recipients include Red Auerbach, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Pat Summitt, Jerry West and John Wooden.
All proceeds from the event support the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame and the Naismith International Basketball Foundation, both non-profits. Fifty-percent of the ticket purchase price is tax deductible.
