The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/503388
22 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK The NC State University Board of Trustees approved a two-year contract ex- tension for athletics director Deborah A. Yow April 17, resulting in an agreement that now runs through July 2019. As part of the extension, Yow's annual compensation will be increased from $516,000 to $690,000. "Under Debbie's outstanding leader- ship, NC State athletics has experienced continual improvement and reached un- surpassed levels of success, both aca- demically and competitively," Chancellor Randy Woodson said. "Debbie's tremen- dous dedication to this university, the success of its athletics teams and the ac- ademic accomplishments of our student- athletes have gone a long way to help fuel NC State's upward trajectory." NC State has posted the highest scores in program history in both the Academic Progress Report (APR) and Federal Grad- uation Rate (FGR) over the last two years. The overall cumulative grade-point aver- age of NC State student-athletes in 2013- 14 was 3.02, while 243 student-athletes achieved a 3.0 or better. "It is a privilege to serve as a member of Chancellor Woodson's senior leader- ship team and to represent Wolfpack Na- tion," Yow said. "While we are pleased with our progress to date made by our staff, coaches and student-athletes, there is much more to achieve athletically and academically. Our full focus remains on those goals and we are resolute in our intentions to continue the improvements across all teams." NC State has made a steady climb in the Directors' Cup national standings, rising from 89th in the year prior to Yow's arrival in 2010 to its current standing of 26th for the 2014-15 athletic year. NC State athletics has had seven teams finish in the top 25 of their respective sports in 2014-15, including an eighth- place national finish and an ACC cham- pionship by men's swimming and diving, and a run to the Sweet 16 by men's bas- ketball. The football team experienced the second-biggest win improvement among "Power Five" conference schools in 2014, going from 3-9 to 8-5. Construction continues on the Close- King Indoor Practice Facility, and a $35 million renovation has begun on historic Reynolds Coliseum, which will provide a permanent home for the NC State Athlet- ics Walk of Fame & History, which was established in 2012, and a new improved facility for gymnastics, volleyball, wom- en's basketball, and wrestling. Athletics Director Debbie Yow Gets Raise, Extension In April, Yow received a two-year contract extension, resulting in an agreement that now runs through July 2019. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Trevor Lacey Pursues Professional Basketball Dreams Redshirt junior guard Trevor Lacey elected to give up his last year of eligibility and pursue his professional dreams April 15. Lacey's decision is a blow to the Wolfpack's backcourt next year, but will lead to new opportunities for rising sophomore twin brothers Caleb Martin and Cody Martin. Lacey led NCSU in scoring last season at 15.7 points per game and was named second- team All-ACC by the media and third-team all-league by the coaches. The ballyhooed former Rivals.com five-star recruit from Huntsville, Ala., spent two seasons at Alabama before transferring into head coach Mark Gottfried's program. He averaged 11.3 points and shot 39.2 percent at Alabama in 2012-13, but his numbers rose across the board in Raleigh. The 6-3, 210-pound Lacey was among the league leaders in four ACC categories. He finished fourth in minutes played (35.9 per game), fifth in three-point field goal percent - age (.392), sixth in points per game (15.7) and seventh in three-point field goals made per contest (2.2) for the 22-14 Wolfpack. Lacey recorded eight games with 20 or more points, with a season-high 26 against Rich - mond Nov. 26. He scored 21 points in NC State's win over then-No. 2. Duke Jan. 11, which resulted in him earning the ACC Player of the Week honor. He posted double figures in every ACC regular-season game, except the first meeting against Virginia Jan. 7. "I would like to thank the coaching staff, university and fans for a wonderful experience the last two years at NC State, but I'd like to declare for the NBA Draft," Lacey said. "I had a great group of teammates the last two years and they'll always be like brothers to me. "This has been the toughest decision of my life, but I feel like pursuing this new journey in my basketball career is what is best for me." Lacey led the Wolfpack in scoring this season with an aver- age of 15.7 points per game, and he earned second-team All-ACC honors from the media. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN