Debbie Yow introduced as new N.C. State AD

Debbie Yow carved her own path in university athletics as Maryland's longtime athletics director.

Now she's returning to her home state to take over the athletics director post at the school where her sisters charted their own historic trails.

N.C. State introduced Debbie Yow as its new athletics director this afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium, turning over its sports program to the sister of two Wolfpack legends.

Debbie Yow's sister Kay Yow had a Hall of Fame career as N.C. State's women's basketball coach before succumbing last year to a long, public battle with cancer. Debbie Yow's other sister Susan Yow was the first All-American woman's basketball player for the Wolfpack (1975-76).

N.C. State chancellor Randy Woodson said today the university had to court Yow heavily to convince her to come to N.C. State, adding that it was not an easy decision for her to leave Maryland, where Terrapins teams won 17 national titles in five sports during her tenure, including one each in men's basketball (2002) and women's basketball (2006).

"She's one of the best in the country," Woodson said. "She'd be on anyone's short list."

The consultant paid $75,000 by the university to aid in the search played a critical role, Woodson added.

Yow's hiring followed a morning meeting by the personnel committee of the campus board of trustees. The full board of trustees didn't need to sign off on the hire because the athletic director at NCSU is considered a "tier 2" employee and thus can be appointed by the chancellor without trustee approval, Woodson said.

The personnel committee, however, did approve the specifics of her contract. She starts work July 15.

Woodson said that while Yow's family ties to NCSU made her a familiar face in Raleigh, those relationships didn't play a role in her hiring.

"For me, it's what you know and what you've done," he said. "Obviously, her connection to North Carolina is a positive, but it's the things you've accomplished in your career that make the difference to me."

In a phone interview this morning, Yow talked about how she was won over by Woodson and about how her family's connections to State played a role in her decision to leave College Park, Md. for Raleigh.

"Probably the single most important thing was meeting the new chancellor and the shared values we have, and just the synergy of the meeting," Yow said. "I really just enjoyed talking to him. After having done that, my level of interest changed. It was heightened, but it has always been there because of my family's history at N.C. State."

Yow will be replacing Lee Fowler, who announced his resignation on May 4. Fowler's official last day at State, after nearly 10 years at the university, will be Wednesday.

A Gibsonville native, Yow took the Maryland AD job in 1994, leaving her AD post at Saint Louis University. During Yow's tenure, Maryland's athletic department expanded to 27 varsity teams and saw major improvements in facilities, notably the move of the basketball programs to the Comcast Center.

Yow has enjoyed remarkable national success in non-revenue sports such as women's lacrosse (eight NCAA titles) and field hockey (five NCAA titles) during her tenure.

In Maryland, word of Yow's departure was met with surprise. Elise Miller-Hooks, a former chair of Maryland's University Senate, said Yow had the respect of the faculty there.

"She's a very positive thing for this campus and it's a big loss," said Miller-Hooks, a professor of engineering. "I've not heard anything negative about her, which is rare for someone in a position like that."

Still, there has been pressure on Yow from portions of the Maryland fan base for the recent performance of the football program and a public personality clash with popular men's basketball coach Gary Williams.

Football coach Ralph Friedgen, who delivered an ACC title in 2001, has had losing records in four of the past six seasons, and both Yow and Friedgen have come under heavy pressure in College Park since a 2-10 mark in 2009.

Fowler, who will be paid $230,000 for the remainder of his contract through 2013, hired both football coach Tom O'Brien and basketball coach Sidney Lowe.

Yow's base contract with Maryland is worth $350,000 and runs through August 2013.