Thursday, February 16
Jacksonville, Fla.
7 pm
University of North Florida
vs
Mercer
Play 4Kay and Others
2/15/2012 6:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Game Notes
Live Stats
Live Video
Tickets
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Pink is not normally part of the colors for the University of North Florida. But on Thursday night, it will be the main color for UNF's women's basketball team when the Ospreys host Mercer at 7 p.m. at UNF Arena.
UNF has its Play 4Kay game against the Bears. Formally known as PinkZone, Play 4Kay is an initiative that helps raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Kay Yow was the long-time women's basketball coach at NC State that succumbed to breast cancer on Jan. 24, 2009.
For three members of UNF's women's basketball program, the cause for tomorrow night's game hits a little closer to home.
Walking For The Greater Challenge
One day during her junior year in high school, Raneisha Lamar received news that made her stop. Her best friend's mom had breast cancer.
“When she first told me, I was like 'Oh my gosh,'” said Lamar. “The first thing I did was Google breast cancer. I saw how many people have died from it and the impact it has on people's lives, whether that be the survivors or the victims.”
Lamar knew she wanted to do more. She wanted to get the word out about breast cancer to both women and men. She was determined that everything she does, she does it with a purpose.
Wearing pink during her sporting activities was the first way Lamar promoted awareness of breast cancer. Socks. Shoes. Shoelaces. Shirts. Ribbons. There was always some sort of pink.
Lamar then found another way in which she could do more and get the word out. Along with her mom, Kimberly, and her two sisters, Raeyvin and Danielle, Lamar participated in her first American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October 2008.
“That was a lot of fun,” remembered Lamar. “I saw a lot of survivors and met a lot of people. It was a really great experience. My mother and my two sisters also did the walk with me. When I told my mom about it, she wanted to get started right away. She made shirts for the team. She was really supportive and still is.”
Now over three years later, raising awareness to breast cancer is still a cause that is close to Lamar's heart. She's excited for the “pink game” and the fact that Thursday night's game is bringing more awareness to the disease.
“Knowing that people care, gives everyone the opportunity to step up to the challenge and help raise awareness,” said Lamar. “In sports, we love challenges. It's part of our competitive nature. Breast cancer survivors and victims are face with the greater challenge everyday. Whether it's them winning or losing, I'm still there to support them.”
All In The Family
Growing up, Brittany Kirkland and her younger cousin Jasmine were the only two girls on her mom's side that played basketball. The two would “ball,” but only really played against each other once or twice. During the times when Kirkland returned home, she and “Jas” would practice and workout together.
“She loves her big cousin,” said Kirkland with a smile.
But two months ago while on a basketball road trip, Kirkland received some news about her not-so-little cousin. Jas, who is close to six-feet tall, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“At the moment, it really didn't dawn on me how close it was to home until my other cousin explained to me that even as young as Jas is, how fatal the disease could be,” said Kirkland. “That was the most troubling thing to me.”
Kirkland's done what she can to be there as support for her cousin. She's seen the impact that breast cancer's had on Jas' life, so Kirkland does what she can to call Jas. And if a phone call can't happen, Kirkland sends a text to her cousin.
“I try to communicate with her a lot more so I don't miss out on anything,” said Kirkland. “If I don't get the chance to actually sit down and have a conversation with Jas, I at least send her a text with 'I love you.'”
“I tell her how pretty she is and that there's always the future,” added Kirkland. “She can still go play basketball. She can still dream and have goals. Your life doesn't stand still because you have breast cancer. I think she's still living to the fullest, but I think she appreciates life more.”
Pink normally was not part of Kirkland's wardrobe. But in the last two months, it's been a staple on her shoes.
“I wear a pink Nike band on my shoe and it's been on there ever since I found out about Jas,” said Kirkland. “I've know people who have died from breast cancer or really in touch with it. I didn't wear as much pink until my cousin – someone who is near and dear to me –has been affected by the disease. I wear that pink band every game, every practice. It is always on my shoe as a reminder.”
Under A Legend
Paula Williams had just completed her collegiate playing career at Brevard College, a small school located in Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina that's about 34 miles south of Asheville.
She graduated Brevard with degrees in both math and exercise science, but coaching was what she loved and her passion. While at Brevard, Williams coordinated clinics at schools and local community centers. She began the first Youth Basketball of America team for girls ages 15-and-up in Transylvania County.
However, when she was applying for graduate schools, Williams was searching for math education programs. NC State was among the schools she applied to.
“I always knew I wanted to coach and wanted to get some experience while getting my master's degree,” said Williams, who is in her fifth-year as an assistant coach at UNF. “I wanted to get a degree that I could use in case I could no longer coach due to family obligations or whatever. I chose schools that had a math education master's degree and a graduate assistant position. NC State was natural fit for that.”
NC State had graduate assistantships and teaching assistant positions available, but both in the math department. Prior to going to Raleigh for an interview for a teaching assistant position, Williams called over to the NC State women's basketball office and asked if she could drop off her resume. She was told that NC State didn't have any positions available at the time, but she could still stop by.
On the day of her interview, Williams was walking up the steps to the women's basketball offices. Walking down those same steps was the person that would eventually become one of the biggest influences in Williams' coaching career. Kay Yow.
“Coach Yow and I talked,” said Williams. “She walked back up the stairs with me and we just struck up a conversation. She invited me to work their camps. After two days of camp, Coach Yow offered me a position. She did not have a position available; she created one so that I would have a spot.”
Williams had scouting and statistical duties at NC State and she also worked several of the Wolfpack's camps as well as camps at Duke, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Furman. But the biggest impact for Williams at the time wasn't working with an elite program. It was the philosophies of the person heading up that elite program. Kay Yow.
“I felt like I was called to this profession so I could use basketball as an opportunity to influence young women's lives and that was Coach Yow's mission,” said Williams. “You don't often get the opportunity to work for someone you want to emulate and work for someone who qualifies as your hero. And that's what Kay Yow was. She was someone, who as a young coach, I wanted to be like.
“She is the one that laid the foundation to my coaching career and left the impression of what Division I college basketball is like,” added Williams. “She planted the seed with the emphasis on relationships. I have always questioned, could you in the pressure of college basketball, could you maintain your character and the priorities you want to stand by in the heat of the moment. She proved to me yes you can do that and there's no doubt you can do that.”
Following her stint at NC State, Williams stayed in touch with Yow while she pursued her passion, first as an assistant coach at Wichita State for four years before coming to UNF in 2007. Over the last decade, she's remembered what Yow taught her as a coach. She's remembered sayings and stories that Yow conveyed to the NC State team.
A day before Yow's passing, Williams was on the phone with a fellow graduate assistant from NC State. Her former co-worker had told her that Yow was not expected to live much longer. The next morning, Williams received a call that Yow had passed.
“I expected things to progress pretty quickly and for Coach Yow to pass,” said Williams. “It's sad to have a one-of-a-kind person pass away. You can no longer just pick up the phone and seek her advice or see her at the Final Four. You just miss those moments of her presence. But there's also a piece of her legacy that always exists.”
Looking back, Williams sees the impact that Yow left, especially with women's basketball and breast cancer.
“Just thinking that one person could bring a group together to rally against something so big that affects way more than just women's basketball,” said Williams, “and how cool that women's basketball has rallied together to support this cause because of Coach Yow. It's not like breast cancer hasn't been around all this time, but Coach Yow put a face to it in the game of women's basketball.”
Live Stats
Live Video
Tickets
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Pink is not normally part of the colors for the University of North Florida. But on Thursday night, it will be the main color for UNF's women's basketball team when the Ospreys host Mercer at 7 p.m. at UNF Arena.
UNF has its Play 4Kay game against the Bears. Formally known as PinkZone, Play 4Kay is an initiative that helps raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Kay Yow was the long-time women's basketball coach at NC State that succumbed to breast cancer on Jan. 24, 2009.
For three members of UNF's women's basketball program, the cause for tomorrow night's game hits a little closer to home.
Walking For The Greater Challenge
One day during her junior year in high school, Raneisha Lamar received news that made her stop. Her best friend's mom had breast cancer.
“When she first told me, I was like 'Oh my gosh,'” said Lamar. “The first thing I did was Google breast cancer. I saw how many people have died from it and the impact it has on people's lives, whether that be the survivors or the victims.”
Lamar knew she wanted to do more. She wanted to get the word out about breast cancer to both women and men. She was determined that everything she does, she does it with a purpose.
Wearing pink during her sporting activities was the first way Lamar promoted awareness of breast cancer. Socks. Shoes. Shoelaces. Shirts. Ribbons. There was always some sort of pink.
Lamar then found another way in which she could do more and get the word out. Along with her mom, Kimberly, and her two sisters, Raeyvin and Danielle, Lamar participated in her first American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October 2008.
“That was a lot of fun,” remembered Lamar. “I saw a lot of survivors and met a lot of people. It was a really great experience. My mother and my two sisters also did the walk with me. When I told my mom about it, she wanted to get started right away. She made shirts for the team. She was really supportive and still is.”
Now over three years later, raising awareness to breast cancer is still a cause that is close to Lamar's heart. She's excited for the “pink game” and the fact that Thursday night's game is bringing more awareness to the disease.
“Knowing that people care, gives everyone the opportunity to step up to the challenge and help raise awareness,” said Lamar. “In sports, we love challenges. It's part of our competitive nature. Breast cancer survivors and victims are face with the greater challenge everyday. Whether it's them winning or losing, I'm still there to support them.”
All In The Family
Growing up, Brittany Kirkland and her younger cousin Jasmine were the only two girls on her mom's side that played basketball. The two would “ball,” but only really played against each other once or twice. During the times when Kirkland returned home, she and “Jas” would practice and workout together.
“She loves her big cousin,” said Kirkland with a smile.
But two months ago while on a basketball road trip, Kirkland received some news about her not-so-little cousin. Jas, who is close to six-feet tall, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“At the moment, it really didn't dawn on me how close it was to home until my other cousin explained to me that even as young as Jas is, how fatal the disease could be,” said Kirkland. “That was the most troubling thing to me.”
Kirkland's done what she can to be there as support for her cousin. She's seen the impact that breast cancer's had on Jas' life, so Kirkland does what she can to call Jas. And if a phone call can't happen, Kirkland sends a text to her cousin.
“I try to communicate with her a lot more so I don't miss out on anything,” said Kirkland. “If I don't get the chance to actually sit down and have a conversation with Jas, I at least send her a text with 'I love you.'”
“I tell her how pretty she is and that there's always the future,” added Kirkland. “She can still go play basketball. She can still dream and have goals. Your life doesn't stand still because you have breast cancer. I think she's still living to the fullest, but I think she appreciates life more.”
Pink normally was not part of Kirkland's wardrobe. But in the last two months, it's been a staple on her shoes.
“I wear a pink Nike band on my shoe and it's been on there ever since I found out about Jas,” said Kirkland. “I've know people who have died from breast cancer or really in touch with it. I didn't wear as much pink until my cousin – someone who is near and dear to me –has been affected by the disease. I wear that pink band every game, every practice. It is always on my shoe as a reminder.”
Under A Legend
Paula Williams had just completed her collegiate playing career at Brevard College, a small school located in Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina that's about 34 miles south of Asheville.
She graduated Brevard with degrees in both math and exercise science, but coaching was what she loved and her passion. While at Brevard, Williams coordinated clinics at schools and local community centers. She began the first Youth Basketball of America team for girls ages 15-and-up in Transylvania County.
However, when she was applying for graduate schools, Williams was searching for math education programs. NC State was among the schools she applied to.
“I always knew I wanted to coach and wanted to get some experience while getting my master's degree,” said Williams, who is in her fifth-year as an assistant coach at UNF. “I wanted to get a degree that I could use in case I could no longer coach due to family obligations or whatever. I chose schools that had a math education master's degree and a graduate assistant position. NC State was natural fit for that.”
NC State had graduate assistantships and teaching assistant positions available, but both in the math department. Prior to going to Raleigh for an interview for a teaching assistant position, Williams called over to the NC State women's basketball office and asked if she could drop off her resume. She was told that NC State didn't have any positions available at the time, but she could still stop by.
On the day of her interview, Williams was walking up the steps to the women's basketball offices. Walking down those same steps was the person that would eventually become one of the biggest influences in Williams' coaching career. Kay Yow.
“Coach Yow and I talked,” said Williams. “She walked back up the stairs with me and we just struck up a conversation. She invited me to work their camps. After two days of camp, Coach Yow offered me a position. She did not have a position available; she created one so that I would have a spot.”
Williams had scouting and statistical duties at NC State and she also worked several of the Wolfpack's camps as well as camps at Duke, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Furman. But the biggest impact for Williams at the time wasn't working with an elite program. It was the philosophies of the person heading up that elite program. Kay Yow.
“I felt like I was called to this profession so I could use basketball as an opportunity to influence young women's lives and that was Coach Yow's mission,” said Williams. “You don't often get the opportunity to work for someone you want to emulate and work for someone who qualifies as your hero. And that's what Kay Yow was. She was someone, who as a young coach, I wanted to be like.
“She is the one that laid the foundation to my coaching career and left the impression of what Division I college basketball is like,” added Williams. “She planted the seed with the emphasis on relationships. I have always questioned, could you in the pressure of college basketball, could you maintain your character and the priorities you want to stand by in the heat of the moment. She proved to me yes you can do that and there's no doubt you can do that.”
Following her stint at NC State, Williams stayed in touch with Yow while she pursued her passion, first as an assistant coach at Wichita State for four years before coming to UNF in 2007. Over the last decade, she's remembered what Yow taught her as a coach. She's remembered sayings and stories that Yow conveyed to the NC State team.
A day before Yow's passing, Williams was on the phone with a fellow graduate assistant from NC State. Her former co-worker had told her that Yow was not expected to live much longer. The next morning, Williams received a call that Yow had passed.
“I expected things to progress pretty quickly and for Coach Yow to pass,” said Williams. “It's sad to have a one-of-a-kind person pass away. You can no longer just pick up the phone and seek her advice or see her at the Final Four. You just miss those moments of her presence. But there's also a piece of her legacy that always exists.”
Looking back, Williams sees the impact that Yow left, especially with women's basketball and breast cancer.
“Just thinking that one person could bring a group together to rally against something so big that affects way more than just women's basketball,” said Williams, “and how cool that women's basketball has rallied together to support this cause because of Coach Yow. It's not like breast cancer hasn't been around all this time, but Coach Yow put a face to it in the game of women's basketball.”
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