Hi Everyone!
I have watched all the emails the past 2 days, from so many past players and feel moved to join the chorus of gratefulness for my opportunity to be a part of this special family. I don’t know all of you personally, but I know we have the same “mom.”
I have struggled for months to identify the words that could begin to explain Kay Yow and her influence on my life. But on the alumni weekend (and Hoops for Hope) of 2007 it became clear to me what it means to be part of this family. At the same time that we were witnessing our coach graciously and bravely face, not only cancer, but our love as best we could put it into words----I also was overwhelmed by the “family” she had recruited and raised.
Her impact on my life was, and is, so profound that it has taken me years to truly grasp it. But that February night, with 110 of the 125 athletes that have played basketball for her in her tenure at NCSU present, I stood in the back of the room and watched player after player, from the ’70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s go to the microphone to speak, some with tears, some with humor, but each with a sincerity that touched my heart. I looked around the room and was so acutely aware of this miracle of family that Kay Yow, in her commitment, dedication, perseverance, graciousness, and loyalty has created for all of us. That room was filled with special, unique, talented, and amazing women, their spouses and their children, and all of us have been impacted by this woman and her gift. I am overwhelmed by the thought that I have the great privilege to be a part of it. This is truly a family and we all belong because we all have had this special opportunity to have been on this incredible journey being captained by this humble servant.
How can you begin to explain a presence, a standard that someone sets for you simply by the very act of going through their daily existence? Coach Yow was constantly seeking the next level….how could she make us better….a new drill, a new explanation of a necessary technique, an inspiring quote. She never yelled but quietly and with unrelenting patience encouraged us to keep pushing. One more time….one more time….one more time!
Her first priority has always been to first do no harm. The essence of the pursuit was always to respect the opportunity and chase it hard, but to understand that the result was only part of the journey----never the destination. She is my mentor, my role model, and someone who I have always wanted to be proud of me, even at my age! She gave me the best gift that any human has ever given me---the example and the prayer that I would know Jesus as my personal savior. I can do all things through Him and believe as so many of the emails before me have reminded us all, that prayer is a powerful opportunity to ask God and claim His promises.
Ronnie, I will definitely stop each and every day at 12:00 noon to be part of this collective prayer. May the Lord’s grace and mercy strengthen and comfort us all.