WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

N.C. State's Yow will not return to bench this season

By Dane Huffman

Jan 7, 2009

Raleigh, N.C. — N.C. State director of athletics Lee Fowler and women’s basketball coach Kay Yow announced Tuesday that Yow will not coach the remainder of the season. Associate head coach Stephanie Glance will lead the team as interim head coach.

“Stepping away from coaching is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, but I have great confidence in the experienced staff I have been working with for such a long time and the character of everyone involved in the program to respond positively to my decision,” Yow said in a statement.

Yow, who is battling breast cancer, felt ill during a trip to New York and did not coach the Wolfpack on Dec. 22. Her energy level has not returned since, and she has missed four straight games. N.C. State plays its next game Sunday at North Carolina.

NCSU said Yow, who is under contract through 2012, will revisit this decision no later than the end of the 2008-09 campaign.

"The ability of any patient with stage four breast cancer to continue at her chosen occupation depends on symptoms from the disease itself, symptoms that can result from the treatments, and the physical and psychological demands of the job,” said Dr. Mark Graham, Yow’s longtime oncologist.

“Back in late 2006 and early 2007, and again now, the balance of all these factors has not allowed Coach Yow to coach up to her high standards. It is my best advice to her at this time to focus on her disease and its treatment, which she will need to do for the foreseeable future."

Yow, 66, missed 16 games in the 2006-07 season. She did not miss a game last year.

“Our No. 1 concern right now is the health and well-being of Coach Yow,” said Fowler. “I speak for our entire athletic department and say we support the decision that she has made and our thoughts and prayers are with her as she continues her fight. Just like a few years back, I hope that all Wolfpackers continue to support our women’s basketball program as strongly as ever.”

Yow stepped aside when her cancer reappeared in November of 2006. She returned in January of that season, and her inspired Wolfpack club reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and has been a public figure in the battle against the disease ever since.

Yow played an integral role along with The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), in partnering with The V Foundation for Cancer Research to launch the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund last December.

“Even though I don’t feel well enough to coach, I’m hopeful to feel well enough to attend some ACC games and show my support for the team as well as N.C. State University,” Yow said.

“I appreciate the thoughts and prayers of so many people, and I’m grateful for the outpouring of support,” said Yow.

Yow has coached 34 seasons at NC State and has recorded 737 victories in her Hall of Fame career – the sixth most in NCAA women’s basketball history.