WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

Yow misses practice; statement expected today

By Dane Huffman

Jan 6, 2009

Coach Kay Yow was not with the N.C. State women’s basketball team at Tuesday afternoon’s practice, and the Wolfpack plans to issue a statement on Yow’s future this afternoon.

Yow, who is battling breast cancer, has missed four straight games. The Wolfpack plays at North Carolina Sunday in its next game.

Her oncologist, Dr. Mark Graham, told WRAL Monday that Yow is not close to returning to coaching.

Yow is battling stage four breast cancer, which has spread to her liver and spine, and has missed her team's last four games.

Graham does not rule out a return to coaching for Yow, but cautioned: "It depends on whether she continues to improve."

She is under contract through the 2011-2012 season.

Graham said Yow, the Pack's longtime women's basketball coach, is fighting the same combination of factors in her cancer battle that kept her off the bench for 16 games in the 2006-07 season.