The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 ■ 23 ment from the Laniers to the renovations of the women's basketball locker room, soon to be named the Gayle and Dwain Lanier Women's Basketball Locker Room. The donation is the single largest in NC State women's basketball history. "On behalf of the Wolfpack family, I would like to thank Gayle and Dwain Lanier for their tremendous support of women's basketball and this project," said Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan. "Gayle and Dwain have already es- tablished an incredible legacy with four decades of service and leadership at this University, and we are grateful for the support, energy and spirit that they have invested specifically in our women's bas- ketball program. "The Gayle and Dwain Lanier Women's Basketball Locker Room will be a trans- formational space for our student-ath- letes and will be instrumental in elevating this team for years to come." Broussard noted that the upgrades will benefit Moore in his recruiting battles against the who's who of college basket- ball, but more importantly enhance the current student-athletes' experiences. "For our current players, it gives them an opportunity to have an even better tie to Raleigh and NC State," Broussard noted. "They have an opportunity to compete and know that their athletics de- partment did everything it could to make their experience the best it could be." The Laniers' hope is that their dona- tion will spur future commitments to the women's basketball program, one that has been dear to their hearts for a long time. Broussard noted that the Wolfpack Club has had five "meaningful conver- sations" on the project, and all five have resulted in pledges to contribute. "Kay Yow was such a role model when it came to facing adversity, never giving up, and always moving forward," Gayle noted. "I have great memories of what she's done for women's programs overall, and the legacy she's left fighting cancer." Dwain noted that Moore has built on the foundation Yow established. "The culture he has built is second to none," Dwain noted. "As we've gotten to know him and the young ladies, it just impresses us even more." The new plans for the Gayle and Dwain Lanier Women's Basketball Locker Room include an expanded player lounge and nutrition areas, new player lockers, reno- vated shower and restroom areas, a salon, sleeping pods and water massage tables, new sound system and monitors and color-changing LED lighting. Broussard noted that the project is about 75 percent funded already, and the hope is to have the enhancements in the "not too distant future." Broussard, how- ever, is hoping to get an extra push over the finish line. "Sometimes the last 25 percent of the project is difficult, so we need support from all the Wolfpackers out there," he added. The Laniers are especially proud to have more African American representation on a facility at NC State, particularly in a hallowed space like Reynolds Coliseum. "There's just not much visibility," Dwain noted, adding that they were happy to see the football locker room being recently named after former football star Dewayne Washington. "We want to enable minori- ties and the underrepresented to achieve their fullest potential and be motivated to reach back and help others." Gayle concluded: "If our gift influences others to further support our women's programs, it gives us even greater plea- sure." ■ The Laniers have enjoyed watching the Wolfpack's success through the years. Following their retirement, they "wanted to show our appreciation for our NC State education and make a difference for others," Dwain said. "This seemed to be a marriage of the two." PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS