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NC State’s Debbie Yow is the N&O’s Most Influential Person in Triangle Sports

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5 years ago

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The News and Observer revealed their 2018 Top-10 Most Influential People in Triangle Sports, and NC State Athletic Director Debbie Yow earned the #1 spot.

Here’s Luke DeCock’s reasons why she sits at the Top.

When Debbie Yow was hired in the summer of 2010 to turn around the N.C. State athletic department, she promised a top-25 athletic program on all fronts, especially in football and men’s basketball, both of which were mired in prolonged droughts

As she prepares to exit the scene this summer – when Yow signed a contract extension four years ago taking her through July 2019, she said it would be her last – she has delivered on that promise, and not just in football and basketball, both of which have been in the Associated Press top 25 this season for the first time since 2003. The Wolfpack is strong across the board – a remarkable 15th in the overall Directors Cup standings last academic year and ninth this fall semester, ranked alongside Duke and North Carolina having narrowed the non-revenue gap for those local rivals, and programs like wrestling and swimming have become national powerhouses.

Football has a new indoor practice facility and Reynolds Coliseum has gone through a top-to-bottom renovation. Revenue has grown to feed the increasing success. Yow hasn’t been perfect – and the indiscretions of the Mark Gottfried regime continue to hang over the school – but she hasn’t hesitated to make changes when needed, even of her own hires. Her direct style occasionally ruffles feathers, but there’s no question she gets results – and no doubting her passion for the job or N.C. State.

For all of that, and her continuing influence on sports in the Triangle, Yow tops the 2018 Triangle Ten, an unscientific assessment of the 10 most influential people in Triangle sports over the past year.

Even after her expected retirement in July, don’t expect her influence to diminish. She’ll likely be even more vocal on social media, where she already spars with opposing fans – her Twitter address is @gopacknow, identified as “#1 State Fan” – and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her take an active role with Lead1, the athletic-director association-slash-lobbying group run by Tom McMillen, the former Congressman and Maryland basketball star. (N&O)

Check our the rest of the piece here, to see who filled out the rest of the Top-10. 

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Basketball

NC State is Adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach

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1 day ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to reports, NC State is adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach.

Nelson was only at UMASS for 1 season under Frank Martin. Prior to that, Nelson was the Head Coach at Holy Cross for 4 seasons, posting a 27-84 record.

Prior to taking the Head Coaching mantle at Holy Cross, Nelson was at Marquette for 5 seasons, spending the first 3 as an Assistant Coach, and the final two as an Associate Head Coach. Prior to Marquette, Nelson also served as an Assistant Coach at Ball St., Drake, Arkansas and Marshall.

Before coaching basketball, Nelson played for the University of Florida from 1999-2003. He was All-SEC twice, and earned Third Team All-American honors. When he left Gainesville, he was the Gators’ all-time leader in three pointers made, and ranked 2nd in steals.

As a Senior in High School, Nelson was a McDonald’s All-American.

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NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

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Last Friday, Ross committed to UTSA after entering the Transfer Portal on April 17th, but it looks like he had a change of heart over the past couple of days.

NC State has been in desperate need to add a Big out of the Portal. They have hosted ECU’s Ezra Ausar and Georgia’s Frank Anselem-Ibe, but neither of them have found a home yet. With the addition of Ross, NC State has added depth in the Frontcourt, and unless something changes, their roster is full with 13 scholarship players.

Ross played in 14 games this past season, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in NC State’s 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

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NC State Basketball

A Matchup Between NC State & Marquette Next Season Might be in the Works

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, a matchup between NC State and Marquette next season might be in the works.

This past year, the Wolfpack defeated the Golden Eagles 67-58 in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

NC State and Marquette have played one another 6 times overall, with the Wolfpack holding a 4-2 lead in the series, winning the past two matchups.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Men’s Basketball Will Play in the 2025 Maui Invitational

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3 days ago

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May 14, 2024

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The NC State Men’s Basketball Team will be playing in the 2025 Maui Invitational, on November 24-26 in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that NC State has ever played in the Maui Invitational.

NC State will be joined by Baylor, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC and Chaminade.

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