Robert P. Kennel: Yow improving at N.C. State athletics

Regarding the April 24 letter “‘Yow’s pow’ lacks ‘wow’”questioning reasons for N.C. State athletic director Debbie Yow’s recent raise and contract extension: After playing three sports at State in the 1950s, I have personally known every athletic director over the last 60 years.

Debbie Yow has the smarts, toughness, creativity and focus more than any.

These simple facts might also be considered:

▪ Her salary doesn’t come from the general budget (like faculty/staff), and it’s only middle in the ACC.

▪ Her contract extension takes her to probable retirement in 2019.

▪ All her new hires are doing better than predecessor coaches, and her holdovers are doing well.

▪ Long-needed facility improvements such as Reynolds Coliseum renovation and new indoor practice facility are underway.

▪ Our N.C. State Varsity Club (former athletes) honored her with an ACC basketball two weeks ago inscribed for “academic and athletic excellence done the RIGHT way.”

▪ N.C. State has dramatically moved up the Directors’ Cup standings faster than any other school over past four years.

▪ Finally, her sister legacy with Hall of Fame women’s basketball coach Kay Yow and All-American Susan Yow speaks for itself.

I am thrilled that Debbie Yow is home at N.C. State. The “Yow wow” is real.

This story was originally published April 27, 2015 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Robert P. Kennel: Yow improving at N.C. State athletics."