Student Government will begin to build a memorial for coach Kay Yow this year. It has already raised more than $23,000 through contributions to complete the initial phase of the project.

The memorial will be called the Coaches’ Corner and will be constructed beside Reynolds Coliseum, in between the gym and Talley Student Center. The memorial garden will honor previous University coaches, beginning with Yow.  

The Kay Yow Memorial Committee will raise the money for the garden through contributions from alumni, former players, fans and students.  

Jeffrey Johnson, a junior in business administration and the student in charge of the project, hopes to have the first phase finished by April.  

“The idea has been present since she passed away. This is something that students really wanted to see done, even people that never met her,” Johnson said. “She had such an impact on the community.”

Johnson said Student Government decided to honor each coach at a different time, starting with Yow. After the first phase, administrations can add on and honor other former coaches so each coach will have his or her own time to be honored.

In the garden will be a statue from the bust up of Yow, which will be sculpted by James Barnhill from Greensboro. Donors who give over $1,000 will be recognized on a plaque located in the memorial garden.  

Johnson said he wanted students to feel like they could get involved in the project, as it is not something for just one person to organize.

“I really want students to feel like they can own this project and be a part of it. It’s for everyone to honor and respect a person who loved our students so much,” he said. “Words can’t describe how much she loved our community.”

Jay Dawkins, senior class president, said he feels like students will be involved and excited for the project.  

“Students connect strongly with the memorial and especially with coach Yow. You can see it in how many students support breast cancer awareness on campus,” Dawkins said. “Kay Yow was N.C. State. Her determination, her passion and her love for others; she inspired so many people and this memorial will help inspire for decades to come.”

$23,000 has been raised for the project, and Student Government hopes to reach $85,000 by involving students, alumni and former players. All contributions Student Government receives exceeding the total cost will be split between the Kay Yow Endowment with the Wolfpack Club and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.  

Students such as Katlyn Keech, a junior in human biology, are already getting excited for the project.  

“It’s a great thing because she did so much for the University and it’s a way that we can give back to her because she has affected every student at the University, not just her players,” Keech said.  

Johnson said it was not a hard decision to make to begin to the project.

“It’s only right to have a place to memorialize them [the coaches] and what better place than next to the court?” Johnson said. “I’m really excited; it’s a great thing to honor her and the community.”