Team remembers Coach Kay Yow

“She really had that impact on people, of knowing how to touch people just with her smile,” N.C. State women's basketball junior forward Tia Bell said. “She showed you that you can use basketball to get further in life and it's bigger than just the game. It's about being the best person you can be."

Yow coached the N.C. State women to four Atlantic Coast Conference championships, 20 NCAA tournament bids and a Final Four berth between 1975 and 2009.

A year after her passing, Yow is still in the hearts of her players.

“Spiritually, she's here every day with us. Every time I see pink, I think of her,” Bell said.

Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and battled three recurrences of it. In the years after her diagnosis, she coached the U.S. women's team to victory in the 1998 Olympics and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

For many, Yow's battle with breast cancer was an inspiration.

“Just the awareness that she's raised of breast cancer all over the world still shows that she lives on today,” Bell said.

Even in death, Yow's lessons to her players carry on.

“We miss her and one thing that she taught us is to never give up," N.C. State women's basketball junior point guard Amber White said.

“She was a great coach and a great person, and I think every coach loved her,” N.C. State women's basketball coach Kellie Harper said.

A moment of silence is planned Monday evening for Yow before the N.C. State women's basketball game against the University of North Carolina.

N.C. State will host the Hoops 4 Hope fundraising event during the Feb. 14 game against the University of Miami. Last year's Hoops 4 Hope event raised nearly $100,000 for breast cancer research.