Leaving the Save Mart Center on Saturday night after the women’s basketball team’s loss to Connecticut, in essence, summed up N.C. State’s season.
There was a lot of fight. There was a lot of passion. And then there was plenty of emotion.
During the team’s post-game press conference, junior forward Khadijah Whittington let the world know how she felt about her coach. She cried and tried to explain to the media how coach Kay Yow had taught her so much about life.
It was a season where Yow had to take a leave of absence to fight against cancer, only to return 16 games later. It was one where Yow reached win No.700 to reach an elite group. And to top it off, it was one where her team defeated No.1 seeds North Carolina and Duke and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001.
After the press conferences and post-game locker room talk, the team walked through a tunnel to its team bus, where Yow stood 20 yards away from the door. She stood there alone and grabbed a quick bite to eat before the 15-minute ride back to the hotel.
Players greeted the coach and then slowly walked to the bus.
This wasn’t different from a normal day at the tournament. Every day players went out of their way to speak to Yow. Before Friday’s practice, each player stopped and greeted Yow, who sat in the first seat on the bus – some even leaned over to give her a hug.
“Hey coach Yow,” a player would say.
“How are you feeling today coach Yow?” the next would say.
This team played for coach Yow.
Before her return on Jan. 25 against Virginia, State had lost five of its last eight games. Then, when she returned, the team took a whole new attitude. It reeled off five straight wins and then on Feb.16, State defeated North Carolina. That same night, the University named the court in her honor.
The team then made a run in the ACC Tournament – defeating No.1 and undefeated Duke in the semifinals. In the finals, the Pack almost took down the Tar Heels.
As Whittington talked about Yow in the press conference, associate head coach Stephanie Glance didn’t look up. Same for sophomore guard Shayla Fields and Yow’s sister, Susan Yow. Another assistant sat in tears.
Whether Yow returns next season or not, this year marked her legacy and this team’s legacy.
This is a team that won’t be forgotten – and Yow knows it.
“It’s an incredible team – it’s a team that will never be forgotten about,” Yow said after Saturday’s loss. “None of the teams have been forgotten about. This is just one that will stand out for everybody – our former players, fans, everybody.”
Hopefully Yow can return next year – even if it’s in a limited role. Not only does she know how to lead a team to wins; she impacts the players and coaches who she is around.
While she may have cancer and may be 65 years old, she can still coach. And her players still want her there.
