A Family Like No Other

The past few days have been tough for all, but it has definitely comforted me to hear stories and inspiration from all former and current members of the Wolfpack Women family. For all of you that have shared or have just been there – thank you. I could ramble on and on about what Coach Yow has meant to me, but I’ll just share with you one story.

Like almost everyone, freshman year for me was one of mixed emotions. I was excited about a new part of my life beginning, but was extremely homesick (even though my hometown is only two hours southeast of Raleigh). Going from a town of 5,000 people to a campus with 27,000+ was daunting. Had Coach Yow not given me the opportunity to be a student manager, I probably would not have stayed at NC State. The team provided me with a home away from home that got me through my freshman year. I’ve never met a more welcoming, caring, and genuine group of people in my life.

After getting through freshman year, I thought that I was burnt out from the game and the job, so I decided not to come back for the next season. The decision was almost the worst decision of my life, but Coach Yow saved me; she gave me a second chance. Even though I had left the team as a manager, I was still the “roadie” who followed the Pack to most of their games – home or away. There was something missing from my life without the group that I had spent nearly 24/7 with my first year. I remember coming to see the end of one team practice right before they were leaving for their Thanksgiving road trip. Coach Yow took one look at my face and just knew that I was lost without the girls, so she looked at Bem, whispered something in her ear, smiled at me, and casually walked away. Bem then informed me that there was an open slot as a manager still available for me if I wanted to take it. I was elated and didn’t hesitate accepting the offer. That day, just like any other, Coach Yow was looking for a way to help others, rather than herself. If Coach Yow had not been the selfless person that we knew, I would have missed out on some of the best days of my life and – most importantly – being a part of this family that I am so proud of today.

It isn’t really my style to quote scripture (b/c I’m definitely not infallible or the model Christian), but in honor of Coach Yow I want to share a passage that has been extremely comforting to me over the past couple of weeks.

And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.
2 Corinthians 4:1

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the joys to come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

All my love,

Liz Prince
Manager c/o 2004