The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1318516
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 ■ 5 ■ WOLFPACK CLUB NEWS In an effort to adapt to the challenges that COVID-19 has placed on events and gatherings, the Wolfpack Club carved out its own path, socially distanced of course. Partly inspired by the distance separating the Memorial Belltower and Carter- Finley Stadium, the Wolfpack Club and NC State Alumni Association hosted the inaugural Tobacco Road Virtual 5K during homecoming weekend from Nov. 13-15. The event was part of a larger effort that pulled together fans bases from the four in-state ACC programs in a rivalry effort to support their respective schools. As NC State's competitors were busy running with the Pack, the Ram's Club, the Iron Dukes and the Deacon Club all hosted similar events. The Pack came together (virtually) to help support NC State student-athletes. Nearly 200 participants from across the country, including runners as far away as Texas and Wisconsin, signed up to run with the Wolfpack Club. Former NC State football kicker Kent Passingham posted the fastest 5K of the event with a time of 19:33, while Deidra Boone had the fastest time in the women's division of 23:15. Wolfpack Club Runs Inaugural Tobacco Road Virtual 5K Pictured above (left to right): The Wayne Jones family, the Broussard family, Kathryn Loftis, Scott Hildebran, Leigh Hersey and the Pridgen family. At right: Former NC State kicker Kent Passingam shares his experience. Kay Yow Honored With Ronnie Shavlik Award Of Merit The highest achievable honor issued by the Wolfpack Club to former student-athletes and athletic staff members is its Ronnie Shavlik Award of Merit, and this year it was bestowed to the late legendary former women's basketball coach Kay Yow. Her sisters, former NC State director of athletics Debbie Yow and former Wolfpack All-American basketball player Susan Yow, accepted the award on her behalf at the Evening of Stars Gala presented by the NC State Alumni Association. "NC State means so much to our family," Susan Yow said. "To get this award for Kay, and for Kay to be remembered in this way, is very, very special to us. "I know Ronnie Shavlik was a great player here, a great team player. Kay would have loved that." The Ronnie Shavlik Award of Merit is given to someone who has displayed leadership and service in support for NC State athletics. Kay Yow took her Wolfpack teams to 20 NCAA Tournaments, including a trip to the Final Four in 1998. She led her squads to four ACC Tournament titles and 11 Sweet 16 appearances while finishing her career with an overall record of 737-344. Yow also coached USA Basketball to a gold medal in 1988, and she has been inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame. Off the court, Yow publicly and courageously battled multiple diagnosis of breast cancer, which ultimately took her life on Jan. 24, 2009 at the age of 66. Her Kay Yow Cancer Foundation has raised $7.78 million to fight the disease. Yow, who passed away in January 2009 due to cancer, was re- cently awarded the Ronnie Shavlik Award of Merit, the highest honor given by the Wolfpack Club to former student-athletes and athletic staff members. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS