The women’s basketball team will be covered in pink, from their headbands down to their shoes, on Sunday when they face Wake Forest in the annual Hoops 4 Hope game.
Their pink dedication will be a symbol of hope in honor of Hall of Fame former head coach Kay Yow and for all of the women who have been afflicted by breast cancer.
Coach Yow , who died in 2009 after a 22-year battle with cancer, started Hoops 4 Hope seven years ago to bring awareness and hope to fight breast cancer. Redshirt senior forward Tia Bell had the opportunity to play under Yow and says that on Sunday, it’s more than just a game; it’s a fight.
“Since I’ve been a freshman, it’s been a very emotional experience,” Bell said. “These last two years have been even more emotional because my great grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Prior to meeting Coach Yow and being a part of the N.C . State women’s basketball family, I wasn’t really familiar with the disease. But being around her strength and faith, such an inspirational movement, lets me know everything will be okay when my great grandmother had it.”
Bell’s great grandmother is 85-years-old and is currently cancer-free. She has always watched Bell’s games but will not be attending the recognition ceremony during halftime. However, Bell says she will be there in heart.
In the last meeting between the two teams, the Wolfpack swept the Demon Deacons 75-66 with sophomore forward Kody Burke and senior forward Bonae Holston leading the team to a victory.
The last recruit by Yow was junior guard Marissa Kastanek . Kastanek wants to win for Coach Yow , for all the women in America who are fighting to find a cure for breast cancer, and for her fans, family and teammates. However, she doesn’t want to underestimate the opposing squad just yet.
“Obviously every team in the ACC is strong this year; any team could win on any given night. [Sunday] has to be one of those games where we have to go out and play and not overlook anything,” Kastanek said. “We have to just focus on the little things, like what does Wake Forest do differently, that we need to prepare for.”
In spite of the game, a series of events has been and will continue to take place through the month of February. This lineup of activities is called “Play 4 Kay,” and Hoops 4 Hope is one of several games that will take place in the country. Right after the game, State students and fans can participate in the Wii/Xbox trivia game starting at 9 p.m . at the Brickhouse Sports Pub, where all proceeds go to cancer research. Also taking place at the Pub, students and fans can sing their hearts out with “Karaoke 4 Kay” on Friday, Sept. 17 starting at 7 p.m . or play in a cornhole tournament to support those who battle cancer on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m .
Halftime will be highlighted with an appearance by lifelong Wolfpack fan and Season 10 country star of American Idol, Scotty McCreery . McCreery , who is taking a break from touring with Brad Paisley, will make a special tribute with N.C . State to celebrate the women who have survived breast cancer.
Fans who were unable to purchase a ticket and still want to experience the atmosphere in Reynolds and see McCreery perform live, might get a chance to buy them at the door for $10 or five dollars for kids under the age of 17.
“I love Scotty McCreery and I’m so mad that we’re going to be in the locker room for the halftime show, but Coach said we were going to get to meet him,” Kastanek said. “My mom, grandma and three aunts are coming out here for this game and I don’t even know if they know he’ll be here. They’re all country fans and I hope it’s a surprise.”
