The women’s basketball team will be covered in pink, from their headbands down to their shoes, on Sunday when they face Wake Forest in the annual Hoops 4 Hope game.

Their pink dedication will be a symbol of hope in honor of Hall of Fame former head coach Kay Yow and for all of the women who have been afflicted by breast cancer.

Coach Yow, who died in 2009 after a 22-year battle with cancer, started Hoops 4 Hope seven years ago to bring awareness and hope to fight breast cancer. Redshirt senior forward Tia Bell had the opportunity to play under Yow and says that on Sunday, it’s more than just a game; it’s a fight.  

“Since I’ve been a freshman, it’s been a very emotional experience,” Bell said. “These last two years have been even more emotional because my great grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Prior to meeting Coach Yow and being a part of the N.C. State women’s basketball family, I wasn’t really familiar with the disease. But being around her strength and faith, such an inspirational movement, lets me know everything will be okay when my great grandmother had