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Kay Yow Spirit of North Carolina Award Presentation

Monday, Oct. 15, 2007

North Carolina Museum of History

Let me first extend a special thank you to the selection committee for creating the Spirit of North Carolina Award. It is my distinct honor today to present the inaugural Spirit of North Carolina Award to NC State University's Coach Kay Yow.

No one embodies the concept of this award better than Kay Yow. 

As she begins her 33rd season, we are blessed to have her guiding our basketball program and serving as an inspiration to our students, our staff and our community. As NC State's women's basketball head coach, she has averaged 20 wins per season, directing the Wolfpack to 19 top three finishes in the final ACC standings and five ACC Championships. She was the first women's basketball coach in ACC history to reach 650 career wins and has coached the USA Team to gold medals in two Olympics.

Her incredible accomplishments have been recognized through several awards and hall of fame inductions, including the prestigious Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the well-deserved ESPY Award for Perseverance.

Coach Yow's achievements have inspired honors for her players as well, with 13 former players going on to either coach or play in the Women's National Basketball Association.

But her legacy goes well beyond women's basketball.

While we are all familiar with her athletic successes, it is her positive approach to life and her commitment to helping others that really sets her apart. Coach Yow has triumphed over adversity with a passionate and determined spirit, while helping others in the shared quest for excellence. She started the "Hoops for Hope" charitable basketball game at NC State, centered around hope -- hope for early detection, hope for increased survival, and hope for a cure for breast cancer. 

Coach Yow is truly one of those special people who impacts others with her grace, humility and strength in powerful ways.

And today, we want to recognize just how special you are, Coach Yow.

Kay Yow is a courageous fighter, an incredible leader and a tremendous role model. And the State of North Carolina wants to continue her legacy by forever after naming this award, The Kay Yow Spirit of North Carolina Award.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating Coach Kay Yow.