Wolfpack Women Memory

To my dear Wolfpack Women Family:

OK – so my picture in Coach Yow’s office isn’t in color (thanks for that dig, Monica - LOL) and I played in the “horse and carriage era” (fossil era, too, Ina!!- LOL). But at least I can still remember the good ‘ole days. Reading everyone’s e-mails has been so reassuring (even though I have to get out my reading glasses to actually read my e-mails these days). I’m thrilled to see the outreach from all across the 34 years of Coach Yow NC State Teams communicate and share cherished stories and memories. It has certainly helped ease the pain.

Gena – I also watched all the ESPN games (3) shown on TV last night/early morning. I couldn’t help but watch Coach Yow and how she orchestrated her team to victory. Reliving those moments was apart of the healing process. I just want to thank the teams that took Coach Yow to the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four. We lived through you those moments we were not able to achieve for her.

Ina – I want to hear from you about Coach Yow’s last few days so please share your stories when we all gather at the funeral this coming Friday and Saturday.

I received a phone call and I was asked to pay tribute to Coach Yow from a local TV station in Raleigh. I have attached the letter I sent and thought I’d share it with my Wolfpack Family. With mixed emotions I found it comforting to reflect on all that she has meant to me. I have also captured her “poster sayings – Yowisms” in the letter as well.

I, too, recollected incidences on road trips. One incident, in particular, happened my freshman year (1978). We were traveling to Appalachian State University which is located in Boone, NC. It was cold, we were traveling in several “VANS", we had no cell phones to call each other in route, and we actually had to stop to get gas (potty break, too). No – the gas stations actually had toilets (no outhouses – however, we were in the mountains of NC so I’m sure they were available somewhere). Anyway, after everyone got into the vans we always had a head count. Well, something didn’t seem quite right. After about 5 miles down the road someone asked the question: ‘Where’s Melanie (Oakley-Orton) - our manager? Oops!!! Coach Yow forgot her and the look on her face was priceless. It was like mother hen had lost one of her chicks. So we all turned around and went back to the gas station to pick up Melanie who was quite calm about it all. If I recall she’s the one who had all the cash – so without Melanie….no meal money. Oops again!! And without meal money….that was not an option. (That goes to show you who the important person was on that trip.- LOL). Luckily we made it to the game in time. However, after the game it was snowing so hard that we were told by Coach Yow “no showers….on the vans....now”. We weren’t sure if we’d get off the mountain safely as there was about 6” of snow that had fallen since we arrived. Of course, since we’re from the “horse and buggy” era (as Terah so eloquently put it - LOL) we could’ve pulled out the horses and sleds to get off the mountain I guess. I could go on and on with more stories, but that’s for another time when we all gather together at Coach Yow’s funeral or at the Hoops for Hope next month.

I like Claudia’s idea of wearing RED and WHITE to the funeral. If you have a pink ribbon or breast cancer pink lapel pin, let’s wear it as well to show our support for Coach Yow’s breast cancer initiative and Foundation. Wear the ribbon or pin upside down to reflect the “Y”.

We’re one tight-knit group that loves our Coach dearly. She will be smiling upon us all as we gather to “celebrate” her life and legacy. She suffers no more from the pain of this dreaded disease. But what is reassuring is her spirit will live in us and with us forever. We just have to be the ripples in the water of life to “pass it on” for others to experience through us.

Always a Kay Phi Yow lifer
Always a Wolfpack Woman forever

Much love to each of my “sisters” (I’m an only child so I never had a sister until I came to NC State. Now I have 150+ sisters…and counting!!!!)

Connie Rogers-Newcome
Class of ‘82