RALEIGH, N.C. — Once the specially made warm-up jerseys were off and all the pregame festivities were over, 13 Yows walked onto the court.
And then came coach Kay Yow.
N.C. State’s jerseys, in honor of Hoops for Hope, were bright pink with each player’s number, but with the name Yow on the back of them.
“We got ‘Yow’ on the back of our jerseys because we knew that this day was for her,” junior guard Shayla Fields said after the Wolfpack beat Boston College, 60-41.
“All we wanted to do was go out and play for her and play our hardest, and just show her that we’re behind her and fighting for her.”
The event attracted more than 8,000 people, with the majority of the fans wearing pink. Yow said she was pleased with the crowd, and she hopes many of the fans will return for future home games.
“We had a great crowd. My goal will continue to be, I hope we can continue Hoops for Hope, and do it for every year,” she said. “It’s such a worthy cause and my goal, my vision, is to sell it out — people actually want a ticket, and there’s not one; people can’t get in.”
At the end of the first half, Tennessee assistant coaches Holly Warlick and Nikki Caldwell presented a $10,000 check to Kay Yow and her WBCA Cancer Fund. ESPN commentator Jimmy Dykes talked about the donation with Yow.
Following the presentation, Yow received a standing ovation and then grabbed the microphone and spoke to the crowd.
“I want to thank all of these people here today for being here and helping with this cause,” she said. “This is unbelievable. People everywhere are starting to get on the bandwagon.”
As the team went into the locker room, breast cancer survivors walked onto the court. The survivors were grouped into categories based on how long they’ve lived since being diagnosed with the disease — including ranges “1-4,” “5-9,” “10-14,” “15-19,” “20+” and “over 25.” The survivors waved as the crowd cheered from above.
“I know that’s a real emotional part for the survivors — people battling cancer,” Yow said. “That’s a part I can’t be a part of. It satisfies me that they are a part of it. And that it’s something that maybe we can give to them, through our game, we can give that to them. That really lifts me up.”
In a crowd of more than 7,500 people, only a handful of fans were not wearing pink. The male cheerleaders, dance team, band director, opposing coaches and football coach Tom O’Brien were among the supporters wearing pink.
The players sported pink jerseys with “Yow” on the back, with pink and white Nikes and even pink knee braces. The team and coaches also wore special warm-ups for the event, designed by William Ivey Long.
Some students wore T-shirts with “Save the Tatas” printed on them.
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