The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/266935
MARCH 2014 ■ 63 BY TIM PEELER F or all of the tears and joy that Hoops 4 Hope has spread since it began in 2006, it has always been a largely symbolic tribute to Kay Yow, NC State's late Hall of Fame wom- en's basketball coach who was a pioneer in her beloved sport. Rarely, in the first eight years, was the hoopla about the game. Instead, it focused on Yow's renewed fight when her cancer re-emerged after 17 years of dormancy. It focused on education, awareness, support and just about everything other than the game itself. Some of the previous eight games were entertaining. The win over No. 15 Vir- ginia in 2009 was awe-inspiring for both the competition and the raw emotion on display just two weeks after Yow's death, when a record $91,233 was raised. In recent years, however, the competi- tion has hardly been at the same level as the celebration of the day. In 2012, the event raised its second-most amount of money, $67,746, but was the biggest blow- out against the Pack (13 points). This year's game, however, changed ev- erything — except the recent outcome. The Pack, ranked No. 10 nationally, lost for the fourth year in a row in the heavily promoted contest, 89-82, against No. 17 North Carolina. The competition did as much to keep the full house happy as the celebration and remembrance of Yow, even though that was better than usual, too. In all, with ticket sales, the annual silent auction and corpo- rate donations, the event raised $45,643 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a 20 percent increase from last season. The event has now raised a total of $455,789 in Yow's memory and honor. As for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which has partnered with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and Nike to create a na- tionwide network of pink-themed fundrais- ing events at college and high school sport- ing events, it has issued nearly $3.83 million in grants for scientific research and related programs focused on women's cancers. This year's Hoops 4 Hope game was played in front of 8,114 fans — which would have surely made Yow smile, for their number, their exuberance and their devotion to the fight she championed. They made an impact on the game, keeping the Wolfpack in the contest when the Tar Heels built an early lead in the first half and kept the game close until the very end. The Pack, as it has throughout Moore's inaugural season, played well behind the leadership of Kody Burke, Markeisha Gat- lin and Myisha Goodwin-Coleman. The players wore their traditional pink uniforms — each stitched with an inspirational word instead of the player's last name — as well as pink high-top sneakers. Moore, the one-time Yow assistant from 1993-95, has ignited a wave of support for his program that had waned in recent years under Kellie Harper. Those fans were out in force at Hoops 4 Hope, filling the old barn. "The support was unbelievable," Moore said. "Our fans have been growing every day, every week. They have been fantastic." This year's event also pleased NC State athletics director Debbie Yow, Kay Yow's younger sister, who came to Raleigh from Maryland in 2010. "To have over 8,000 people at a women's game at any point in time is something to celebrate," Debbie Yow said. "When it is for raising money for breast cancer that makes it even more special. "The only thing that would have made it perfect was to have won the game. That aside, it was a unique moment." Like every other coach in the country, Moore had supported the Play 4Kay Initia- tive, the nationwide outgrowth of the origi- nal Hoops 4 Hope. Those events continue to grow. The State-Carolina game was part of ESPN's nationwide participation in the endeavor, one of eight games over two days, capped by a featured matchup be- tween ACC rivals Duke and Maryland. "Everybody plays a Play 4Kay game now," Moore said. "But we are the only ones who play on the court where she won hundreds and hundreds of games for years. We wanted to carry this game through for her, but couldn't. "I hope we can get [UNC] over here again and give us another chance." And getting another chance is really what the whole event is about. ■ You may contact Tim Peeler at tmpeeler@ncsu.edu. HOOPS 4 HOPE More Than 8,000 Fans Turned Out To Honor Kay Yow's Legacy This year's Hoops 4 Hope contest versus North Caro- lina raised $45,643 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a 20 percent increase from last season. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN All-Time Hoops 4 Hope Results Year Result Money Raised 2006 No. 4 Maryland 65, NC State 57 $23,268 2007 NC State 64, Boston College 46 $43,820 2008 NC State 60, Boston College 41 $42,400 2009 NC State 60, No. 15 Virginia 54 $91,233 2010 NC State 66, Miami 64 $50,052 2011 Florida State 76, NC State 69 $52,893 2012 Wake Forest 70, NC State 57 $67,746 2013 Georgia Tech 79, NC State 70 $38,734 2014 No. 17 North Carolina 89, No. 10 NC State 82 $45,643 63.Hoops 4 Hope.indd 63 2/25/14 2:28 PM