Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day with a significant other or celebrating ‘Singles Awareness Day,’ one of the great ways to spend your Sunday afternoon is in Reynolds Coliseum at the fifth annual Hoops 4 Hope game. The Wolfpack Women host the Miami Hurricanes at 5:30 p.m. in the event created with the help of legendary coach Kay Yow.
Hoops 4 Hope is a basketball game centered around hope – hope for early detection of breast cancer, hope for increased survival and hope for a cure. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youth and is free to students with a valid I.D. Ticket sales and funds raised from donations, merchandise sales and a silent auction go to the KayYow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Last year’s event raised $91,200 in addition to a $200,000 check from GlaxoSmithKline, as well as other donors.
One in seven women either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime and cancer clearly is not selective in its attacks. Just over one year ago, on Jan. 24, 2009, the Wolfpack community lost one of its own in Hall of Fame Coach Kay Yow. The disease may have taken her life, but it did not win the battle. For years, Yow devoted her time and efforts outside of coaching to raise breast cancer awareness and funding. Hoops 4 Hope is just one of her endeavors.
During the game there will be a special tribute to Yow and at halftime, survivors will be recognized on the court. Junior forward Brittany Strachan said that she will draw extra motivation and strength on the court from the Hoops 4 Hope storyline.
“Seeing how much hope people have now, with new technology, medicine and fundraising – just to see those people walk out on that court with their heads held high, it definitely adds adrenaline.” Strachan said. “When you think of all the people, like coach Yow, who never give up it always makes you try even harder.”
The program combines breast cancer awareness, fundraising and celebrating of the lives of so many who have battled or are currently fighting breast cancer. There will be a silent auction prior to tipoff, featuring several Yow items, including pink Yow “1” jerseys, a basketball signed by David Thompson and Carolina Hurricanes tickets. Fans will receive free t-shirts at the door while supplies last.
Coach Kellie Harper, whose grandmother and several family friends lost the fight with breast cancer, believes that the disease touches everyone in some way and hopes that the community fills Reynolds in support of the cause.
“You can easily make this fight personal. Whether it’s you, someone you love or someone you know, there’s a reason to get behind the initiative,” Harper said. “We hope that people realize this is more than just a game. It’s an event, it’s the place to be on Sunday.”
Like Harper, sophomore guard Emili Tasler lost her grandmother to breast cancer and Sunday’s game will hit home for her.
“It’s a big deal and it means a lot to me. It helps a lot with the cause,” Tasler said. “Knowing what all coach Yow and my grandmother went through provides so much more motivation.”
Harper said that the team will work to pay tribute to Yow but still remained focused on the contest against Miami to improve a 13-10 record (3-5 ACC).
“We’re still trying to find ways to honor her and yet still be ourselves, still be in the present. But it’s important that we lead the way,” Harper said. “N.C. State needs to be the leader in the fight and set the precedence for other teams across the country to show support and raise money and awareness for breast cancer.”
Last year’s game sold out in advance with 8,560 fans in attendance. The Pack rewarded the crowd with a tremendous 60-54 victory over No. 17 Virginia.
The game, which will be aired on ESPN2, gives Harper and company the chance to shine on the national stage.
“I hope we play inspired. We’re on national television, we have the floor. We can showcase our talents and abilities, but at the same time, celebrate and honor the survivors and those who have lost their battle with breast cancer,” Harper said. “Because of everything our players have gone through in the last two years, they understand the big picture. You can’t take life for granted. We’re just playing a basketball game. I think we want our passion on the court to be inspiration as well.”
For Strachan, the event minimizes every day struggles on and off of the court for her.
“With basketball, if you do something bad in the game, it’s so minimal compared to people battling for their lives. The whole event puts things in perspective for you,” Strachan said.
