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Coach Kay Yow is one of four children of Hilton and Libby Yow. Her sister Debbie works as the Athletic Director at Maryland.
Her sister Susan is the assistant coach of the WNBA's Charlotte Sting. In Susan's collegiate career, she played under her
sister's leadership; her sister was her coach, Coach Kay Yow of the NC State Wolfpack Womens basketball team. Yow was named
head coach of the Wolfpack Women in 1975; the first coach of the team.
Not only does she teach as a terrific
coach, she was also a superb student. At East Carolina University (ECU), she earned her B.S. degree in English; she also
earned a Masters degree in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Greensboro, not too far from
her home town of Gibsonvillle, NC.
She was not only a dedicated student; she was and still is a dedicated coach.
That fact was made internationally known as she coached the 1988 Olympic Womens Basketball Team to an Olympic gold. In the
preceding Olympic games in 1984, she was the assistant coach, with the head coach being Tennessees Pat Summit. Her collegiate
coaching titles are quite magnificent:
4 ACC Championship Titles
14 NCAA Tournament Appearances
16 Seasons
with Total Wins Meeting or Exceeding 20
Under her coaching, 19 All-Americans were produced. She also has two impressive
titles herself:
Fifth all-time Winningest Coach in Womens Division I Basketball History
Fifth Coach to Reach
600 Wins
Even though these feats are credited to her, she refuses to accept all of it. She tends to bestow
the credit on others, often her assistant coaches, and even more often, her players. Yow said:"... Im fortunate to be
surrounded by very great people, from people here on campus to the citizens of Raleigh." Yet, people still admire her
and respect her with their time and commendation. In recognition of her 25th Anniversary of coaching at NC State, Raleigh's
mayor named February 13, 2001, "Kay Yow Day", and a celebration was held in her honor. The bash had past players
of the Wolfpack Women appearing. Not many people were expected to come10 tables were set up. But, 27 tables had to be set
up for all of those celebrating the accomplishment of her 600 wins! Though she looked forward to the arrival of her former
players, what she wanted the most was to break the attendance record set a few years ago when NC State took on Virginia in
a triple overtime game. Her wish was not necessarily a win, but a broken record. Yet, Coach Yow has won in other events,
not just on the hardwood.
In 1987, Yow took a visit to her doctor, as a result of her friends insisting for her
to see one. At the time, Yow didnt have much free time. Also, she was the head coach of the Wolfpack Women and the 1988
Olympic team; which meant, in a word, BUSY! But, in August of the year, she got devastating news. She was diagnosed with
breast cancer. With her willpower and faith in God, she got treatment for the cancer, and survived. Later, she helped raise
$1 million for cancer research for the Lineburger Cancer Institute at UNC Chapel Hill. In return for her efforts, part of
the facility is named in her behalf. When she went to the Pan-American Games in Russia in 1986, she unexpectedly met a Russian
couple that participated in the Russian Christian Underground. With Yow being a Christian, she met with their needs, and
sent supplies with the help of the USA Basketball team.
Yows also been inducted to the Womens Basketball Hall
Of Fame, along with winning the John and Nellie Wooden Award, and having 7-UP cans made in recognition of her 25th Anniversary!
The career of Coach Kay Yow has been a great one, and will always continue to be.
Coach Yow On The Front Cover
Of Spectator Magazine
Coach Kay Yow's Profile
Coach Stephanie Glance's Profile
Coach Charisse Mapp's Profile
Coach Jenny Kuziemski's (J.K.) Profile
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