Kay Yow

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Kay Yow
Sport(s) Women's Basketball
Current position
Title Head coach
Team North Carolina State University
Record 680–325 (.677)
Biographical details
Born (1942-03-14)March 14, 1942
Gibsonville, North Carolina
Died January 24, 2009(2009-01-24) (aged 66)
Cary, North Carolina
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1971–1975
1975–2009		 Elon
NC State
Head coaching record
Overall 737–344 (.682)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
ACC Regular Season (1978, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1990)
ACC Tournament (1980, 1985, 1987, 1991)
Olympic Gold Medal (1988)
Awards
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2000)
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2002)
Jimmy V ESPY for Perseverance (2007)

Sandra Kay Yow (March 14, 1942 – January 24, 2009) was an American basketball coach. She was the head coach of the NC State Wolfpack women's basketball team from 1975 to 2009. A member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, she had more than 700 career wins.[1] She also coached the U.S. women's basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in 1988 despite having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987.[2][3] In April 2010, CollegeInsider.com created a new award called the Kay Yow National Coach of the Year Award in her honor. It will be presented annually to the women's college basketball head coach who displays great personal character on and off the court.

Education and coaching career

Yow received her Bachelor of Science degree in English from East Carolina University in 1964, she was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. After graduation she worked as English teacher, librarian and girls' basketball coach at Allen Jay High School in High Point, North Carolina. She then earned her Master's degree in Physical Education from UNC-Greensboro in 1970 and then took the position of women's athletics coordinator and women's basketball coach at Elon College.[4]

In 1975, Yow became NC State's first full-time women's basketball coach and also coached women's volleyball and softball. She led the women's basketball team to an ACC championship in the first season of league play in 1978.[4]

On January 11, 2001, she reached the 600-win milestone for her career with a 71–64 win over Temple University.[5] On February 5, 2007, she reached the 700-win milestone for her career with a 68–51 win over Florida State University. At the time of her death, she ranked as the fifth winningest active NCAA Division I women's basketball coach. In recognition for her dedication and success, Yow was selected for induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on June 5, 2002, the fifth female coach to be selected.[4][6][7][8] On February 16, 2007 the basketball court at Reynolds Coliseum was renamed Kay Yow Court at Reynolds Coliseum in her honor. On July 11, 2007, Yow received the inaugural Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance, an award named for fellow NC State basketball coach and friend Jim Valvano. She received a standing ovation.

Yow also coached the silver-medal-winning U.S. women's basketball team in the 1981 World University Games; the 1986 gold-winning U.S. teams in the Goodwill Games and the FIBA World Championship; and the gold-medal-winning U.S. women's basketball team in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.[4][9]

USA Basketball

Yow was the assistant coach of the team representing the USA at the World University Games held in Mexico City, Mexico in August of 1979. The opening game was against Costa Rica, and the USA almost out scored them by triple digits, falling just shy at 132–34. The next three games were closer, but all margins were in double-digits. The fifth game was against the USSR who had won the event in 1973 and 1977. The Soviet team led at halftime, but the USA team out scored the USSR by three points in the second half to win 83–81, the first win by the USA over the USSR in a major competition in two decades. The next game was a rematch against Canada, them team they had beaten by 14 points a few days earlier. This time the Canadian team would take a nine point lead at halftime, but the USA team came back and won 68–60. The final game of the competition was against Cuba, which the USA won 73–60 to claim their first gold medal in a World University Games event.[10]

Yow was the head coach of the team representing the USA at the World University Games held in Bucharest, Romania in July of 1981. The team started with a game against Finland and won easily, 68–49. They trailed at halftime in their next game against China, but came back to win a close game 76–74. After beating Poland, they played Czechoslovakia in a game that was close at the half, but the USA team went on to win 86–67. In the following game against Canada, the USA team was again behind at the half, but played a close match in the second half and pulled ahead to win 79–76. Despite being undefeated, they needed a win against Romania to advance to the gold medal came. They had only a one point lead at halftime, but went on to win 75–64 to meet the undefeated USSR for the gold medal. The USA fell behind by sixteen and could not close the gap—the USSR team won 98–79 to claim the gold medal, leaving the USA with the silver. Denise Curry was the leading scorer for the USA team with 18.1 points per game. Anne Donovan led the team in rebounds with 6.7 per game.[11]

Yow served as an assistant coach of the team representing the USA in 1984 at the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The team chosen to represent the USA was the team expected to be selected as the National Team for the Olympics. This resulted in a very strong team which was able to dominate the competition. In the opening game against Australia, the USA won 82–20. While other games were closer, Italy's 23 point loss tot he USA was the closest of the eight games. The USA won all eight games, and won the gold medal. The USA team was led by Cheryl Miller, who led the team in scoring at over 15 points per game, rebounding, free throw percentage, assists and steals. Miller was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with Lynette Woodard, and Denise Curry.[12]

Yow was named head coach of the USA National Team which would compete at the 1986 World Championships and the 1990 Olympics. The World Championships were held in Moscow, Soviet Union in August. The USA team started strong with a more than 50 point victory over Taipei. The USA team continued to dominate their opponents, winning the next three preliminary rounds games, with a 15 point victory over Hungary being the closest margin, then advanced to the medal play rounds. They defeated China ant he quarterfinals, and Canada in the semifinals to set up the championship match against host and undefeated Soviet Union. Although the USA had recently defeated the USA in the Goodwill Games, the USA wanted to demonstrate that the victory was no "fluke". The Soviet team was taller, but the USA team was able to outscore them. The USA team started the game with the first eight points, and had a 15–1 run during the second half, and won in convincing fashion 108–88 to win the gold medal and the world championship. Every one of the starters achieved double-digit scoring in the final game, led by Cheryl Miller who had 24 point along with 15 rebounds in the championship game.[13]

All-Time College Coaching Record
Season Team Record Postseason AP Poll
1971–1972 Elon 5-11
1972–1973 Elon 13-3 NCAIAW State Tournament
1973–1974 Elon 20-1 AIAW Regionals
1974–1975 Elon 19-4 AIAW Regionals
1975–1976 NC State 19-7 Women's NIT Quarterfinals
1976–1977 NC State 21-3 AIAW Region II 10
1977–1978 NC State 29-5 AIAW Elite Eight 3
1978–1979 NC State 27-7 AIAW Region II 11
1979–1980 NC State 28-8 AIAW Sweet 16 10
1980–1981 NC State 21-10 AIAW Sweet 16 13
1981–1982 NC State 24-7 NCAA Sweet 16 12
1982–1983 NC State 22-8 NCAA 1st Round 16
1983–1984 NC State 23-9 NCAA Sweet 16 16
1984–1985 NC State 25-6 NCAA Sweet 16 12
1985–1986 NC State 18-11 NCAA 2nd Round
1986–1987 NC State 24-7 NCAA Sweet 16 13
1987–1988 NC State 10-17
1988–1989 NC State 24-7 NCAA Sweet 16 13
1989–1990 NC State 25-6 NCAA Sweet 16 11
1990–1991 NC State 27-6 NCAA Sweet 16 7
1991–1992 NC State 16-12
1992–1993 NC State 14-13
1993–1994 NC State 13-14
1994–1995 NC State 21-10 NCAA Sweet 16 24
1995–1996 NC State 20-10 NCAA 2nd Round 23
1996–1997 NC State 19-12 NCAA 1st Round
1997–1998 NC State 25-7 NCAA Final Four 10
1998–1999 NC State 17-12 NCAA 2nd Round
1999–2000 NC State 20-9 NCAA 1st Round 23
2000–2001 NC State 22-11 NCAA Sweet 16 19
2001–2002 NC State 14-15
2002–2003 NC State 11-17
2003–2004 NC State 17-15 NCAA 1st Round
2004–2005 NC State 21-8 NCAA 1st Round 21
2005–2006 NC State 19-12 NCAA 1st Round
2006–2007 NC State 15-4 NCAA Sweet 16 18
2007–2008 NC State 21-13 Women's NIT Semifinals
2008–2009 NC State 8-7
Overall737-344.682
[14]
ACC Regular Season Champion
ACC Tournament Champion
ACC Regular Season and Tournament Champion

Personal life

Kay Yow
Medal record
Women’s Basketball
Head Coach for  United States
Olympic Games
Gold 1988 Seoul, South Korea Team Competition
Head Coach for  United States
FIBA World Championship for Women
Gold 1986 Moscow, Soviet Union Team Competition
Head Coach for  United States
Goodwill Games
Gold 1986 Moscow, Soviet Union Team Competition
Assistant Coach for  United States
William Jones Cup
Gold 1984 Taipei, Taiwan Team Competition
Assistant Coach for  United States
Olympic Games
Gold 1984 Los Angeles, California, USA Team Competition
Assistant Coach for  United States
Pan American Games
Gold 1983 Caracas, Venezuela Team Competition
Head Coach for  United States
World University Games
Silver 1981 Bucharest, Romania Team Competition
Assistant Coach for  United States
World University Games
Gold 1979 Mexico City, Mexico Team Competition

Coach Yow and two sisters are natives of Gibsonville, North Carolina. They were all three active in collegiate sports. Deborah Yow is the Athletic Director at North Carolina State University,[15] and Susan Yow coached women's basketball at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Kansas State University, Drake University, East Tennessee State University, Providence College, and Belmont Abbey College. Susan Yow was in her second season as head coach at Belmont Abbey College. Susan has also served as an assistant coach to the WNBA teams, the Charlotte Sting and the Cleveland Rockers.[16] In 2006, Susan was named as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Lynx, but resigned along with head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio on July 23, 2006.[17][18]

After her 1987 breast cancer diagnosis, Yow became active in raising awareness as well as money to battle the disease.[19] In 2007, the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund was instituted by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, of which she served on the board of directors.[20] Her cancer recurred in November 2004 and she began radiation treatments the following month after having surgery.[21]

Death

Yow had been on a leave of absence from coaching since early January 2009 because of her disease.[9] She died from stage 4 breast cancer on January 24, 2009.[22] In her obituary, the Charlotte Observer said, "Yow never lost her folksy, easygoing manner and refused to dwell on her health issues, though they colored everything she did almost as much as basketball. Ultimately, her philosophy on both were the same."[21]

Yow planned her own funeral before she died and recorded a 25-minute video to be played at the service.[23] More than 1,400 people attended the funeral on January 30 at a suburban Raleigh church, as Yow thanked her supporters on the video.[23] "And now I say farewell," she bade the mourners, "and it's been a wonderful journey, especially since the time I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior".[23]

Awards

  • 1987—Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award[24]
  • 2007—Coach Yow received the Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award from the United States Sports Academy in recognition of courageous action in overcoming adversity to excel in sport.[25]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Beard, Aaron (2009-01-24). "Longtime NC State women's coach Kay Yow dies at 66". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-01-24. 
  2. ↑ "N.C. State women's hoops coach Kay Yow dies". NBC Sports. 2009-01-24. Retrieved 2009-01-25. 
  3. ↑ Historical State: History in Red and White. "Kay Yow coaches in the Olympics (1988)". Retrieved 23 December 2011. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "A chronology of Kay Yow's life". News and Observer. 2009-01-24. 
  5. ↑ Yow fifth women's coach to 600 victories – ESPN
  6. ↑ "WBHOF Inductees". WBHOF. Retrieved 2009-08-01. 
  7. ↑ "Hall of Famers". Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2009-08-01. 
  8. ↑ Historical State: History in Red and White. ""Kay Yow is inducted into the Women's Sports Hall of Fame (1987)"". Retrieved 23 December 2011. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "NC State moves on without Yow". Sports Illustrated. January 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-24. 
  10. ↑ "TENTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1979". USA Basketball. Retrieved 20 May 2013. 
  11. ↑ "ELEVENTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1981". USA Basketball. Retrieved 20 May 2013. 
  12. ↑ "1984 WOMEN'S R. WILLIAM JONES CUP". USA Basketball. Retrieved 18 May 2013. 
  13. ↑ "TENTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN -- 1986". USA Basketball. Retrieved 17 May 2013. 
  14. ↑ 2009-2010 Wolfpack Women's Basketball Media Guide
  15. ↑ Yow accepts NCSU offer for AD
  16. ↑ Providence College coaching profile
  17. ↑ WNBA.com on resignation
  18. ↑ "NCSU women's basketball coach Kay Yow to take leave of absence". Chatham Weekly Journal. November 22, 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-24. 
  19. ↑ "Beloved women's basketball coach Kay Yow dies". CNN. 2009-01-24. Retrieved 2009-01-25. 
  20. ↑ Beard, Aaron (January 24, 2009). "Longtime NC State women's coach Kay Yow dies at 66". Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-02-06. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Kay Yow (obituary)". Charlotte Observer. January 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-06. 
  22. ↑ "NCSU's Yow dies after long cancer fight". Triangle Business Journal. January 24, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-24. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Yow bids farewell in 'amazing' video". Tampa Tribune. January 31, 2009. p. Sports 3. 
  24. ↑ "Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award". ASAMA - The American Sport Art Museum and Archives. Retrieved 06 Oct 2012. 
  25. ↑ http://www.wralsportsfan.com/rs/story/2731322/

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