The Santa Rosa Junior College women’s basketball team will host its Play4Kay Cancer Fund night in honor and memory of renowned women’s basketball coach, Kay Yow at 7:30 p.m Feb. 10 at Haehl Pavilion.
Kay Yow spent 38 seasons leading the North Carolina State Wolfpack, guiding the program to four Atlantic Coast Conference championships and 20 NCAA tournament appearances. In 1988, she coached the U.S. women’s national team to an Olympic gold medal one year after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of metastatic breast cancer.
Being one of the most accomplished coaches in the sports history, Yow was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and continued coaching until her death in 2009.
The Play4Kay initiative began in 2007 to honor Yow’s legacy, with donations supporting breast cancer research and patient care. Since its inception, more than 1,000 schools nationwide have participated, raising over $9 million for the cause.
Under the guidance of women’s basketball head coach Lacey Campbell, SRJC hosted its first Play4Kay game last season.
This year, Campbell appointed first-year team manager Miley Ficher to coordinate the event.
“The goal is to create a night that honors the cause, unites the community and truly reflects what Play4Kay stands for,” Ficher said.
“Seeing the community come together — players, coaches, families, survivors and supporters all united by a shared purpose — is a powerful reminder of what sports can truly do,” Ficher said. “For one night, basketball becomes a platform to honor those who have fought, those who are still fighting and those we play for every day.”
For Ficher, organizing the event is especially meaningful. “Knowing that the work I put in helps raise awareness, support research and make a difference beyond the final score is something I’ll carry with me long after the lights go off in the gym,” she said.
Ficher is one of many individuals involved nationwide in hosting Play4Kay events, which aim to unite communities around breast cancer awareness. According to the Play4Kay Cancer Fund, teams across the country partner with support groups, wellness centers and oncology clinics to honor survivors, recognize those currently fighting and remember loved ones lost to breast cancer.
The SRJC women’s basketball team has embraced the significance of the event both on and off the court. “On the court, they’ll compete with an added sense of motivation, knowing who and what they’re playing for,” Ficher said. “Off the court, they’ve shown genuine care for the mission behind Play4Kay, from helping promote the game to setting up decorations and approaching the night with intentionality and respect.”
There will be recognitions, special guests and opportunities for fans to engage with the cause during the game, according to Ficher.
“Every form of support helps move the mission forward,” Ficher said.
Tickets cost $10, and are available for purchase online or at the door. Ticket sales will support fundraising efforts, but those unable to attend the game can still contribute by donating online or sharing information about the initiative.
For more information about the Play4Kay initiative or to learn how to support the cause, visit https://play4kay.org.
