RIP Coach Yow

My condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of NC State women's basketball coach Kay Yow. I can't pretend I knew Coach Yow, or even that I was a fan of NC State women's hoops, but living in ACC country, I have come to "know" her through the public eye somewhat, and I do know that that University and her loved ones will truly be missing someone special.

Living in Greensboro, I've had the opportunity on several occasions to attend the ACC women's basketball tournament, held in the Greensboro Coliseum. The one year in particular that stands out to me is 2007. It was an emotional year for Coach Yow and her team; she had missed 16 games that season due to a resurgence in her cancer, the court at Reynolds Coliseum had been named in her honor, and her Wolfpack team was in the ACC tournament finals. They emerged from a 4 seed; not normally a daunting task, but seeds 1, 2, and 3 were all in the Final Four the year before. I was there for the semifinal matchup when nearly the entire arena cheered as her Wolfpack defeated the 1 seed and 2006 national runners-up Duke Blue Devils. NC State lost to the Tar Heels in the ACC finals, but the support from everyone in the arena for Coach Yow was clear. Moreso, it was strongly evident how much the young women on her team truly loved their coach.

Coach Yow, you will be missed.