If you’re familiar with collegiate
women’s basketball, I’m sure you’ve heard of Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, Muffet
McGraw, Kim Mulkey and numerous other coaches. But, I can almost guarantee that
you’ve also likely heard the name Kay Yow. Whether it’s because of her being
the legendary, Hall of Fame Head Coach at North Carolina State University (Go
Wolfpack!) or from the ongoing Play4Kay initiative games held each year to
raise awareness for all types of cancer, her name ranks right up there with the
other top coaches. Her legacy has been imprinted upon countless souls around
the world – not just her impact as a coach, but also as a friend, mentor,
influencer and advocate.
Growing up in Raleigh, North
Carolina, being the daughter of a graduate from North Carolina State
University, I was surrounded by all things Wolfpack Red. I remember vividly watching NCSU women’s
basketball games on television, as well as Coach Yow and Nora Lynn Finch’s
television show and subsequently listening to their radio show. As a youngster, there was nothing more that I
wanted than to play basketball for Coach Yow.
Sadly, a shoulder surgery in elementary school that caused extensive
damage prevented me from playing any sports (you can see one of my prior blog
posts where I went in to much more detail about that incident). But even with my basketball career
aspirations being sidelined, I still looked up to Coach Yow and Nora Lynn as a
strong influencers in my life.
For many of us, dates are
significant in our lives. We can easily
remember exactly where we were when September 11th, 2001, happened
and so many other poignant events that stand out to us can be remembered
instantly. I’ll never forget where I was
on January 24, 2009, when it was announced that Coach Kay Yow had succumbed
from her fourth round of cancer. I was
sitting at a Smithfield Chicken & BBQ restaurant eating lunch with my good
friend Tiffany. ESPN Sports Center was
playing in the restaurant and a breaking news story came on announcing the
passing of Coach Yow. Almost
immediately, I felt like a portion of my childhood had ended, but I knew her
legacy would continue to spread and reach so many souls, just as she had done
over the years at NC State. Yet in that
same moment, I knew that I would take it upon myself to not only encourage
people to donate and support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, but I also felt the need
to devote a good portion of my free time to attending numerous women’s
basketball games to continue to help grow the sport. I felt it was the least I could do to keep
Coach Yow’s flame burning.
During the month of February, I
challenge you to try to find a local Play4Kay event, whether it’s at a
university close by your hometown or even a local high school team. Try to make
it out and support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. You can visit www.kayyow.com to learn more information on the
fund, as well as her life. We all are
impacted by cancer in some way, shape or form, so we can all work together to
support a great cause to help aim to find a cure, and continue to keep Coach
Yow’s legacy going.
I’ll close this blog with some of
my most favorite quotes and sayings by Coach Yow. I hope each of you will find these
challenging and meaningful in your own lives, as I know they have been for
mine.
“Adversity
doesn’t build character, it reveals it.”
“I will, not
I’ll try.”
“You can’t
change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”
“When life
kicks you, let it kick you forward.”
“Don’t wallow
in self-pity or you’ll drown. Swish your
feet and get out.”
“It’s what’s
inside that counts.”
And Coach Yow’s life verse is one that we can all
live by.
Philippians
4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
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