Kristian Ferrell
The North Carolina women's basketball team wore pink uniforms during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies to raise awareness for breast cancer and its effects on the community. The game was UNC's annual Play4Kay game, in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The first 1,000 fans at the game received pink t-shirts, and breast cancer survivors and fighters were honored at halftime. This was not the first time Virginia Tech has worn pink, as they also wore pink during their volleyball game against North Carolina in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 3rd February 2024 |
| Teams | No. 17 Virginia Tech vs No. 24 North Carolina |
| Time | Tipoff at noon |
| Channels | ESPN2 |
| Purpose | Support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund |
| Uniforms | Carolina will wear pink uniforms – white with pink trim and blue lettering |
| Fans | The first 1,000 fans will get pink t-shirts |
| Honorees | Breast cancer survivors and fighters |
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What You'll Learn
- The North Carolina women's basketball team wore pink in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
- The game was part of UNC's annual Play4Kay game
- The first 1,000 fans at the game received pink t-shirts
- Breast cancer survivors and fighters were honoured at halftime
- The teams met again in Blacksburg, Virginia, on February 25
The North Carolina women's basketball team wore pink in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The game was the first of two regular-season matchups between the two teams and the 36th time the teams had met, with UNC leading the series 21-14 at the time. The previous matchup in Chapel Hill had been a thriller, with Virginia Tech winning on a last-second shot by Elizabeth Kitley. Deja Kelly led Carolina with 18 points and six rebounds, playing all 40 minutes.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was named after Sandra Kay Yow, who was born in Gibsonville, North Carolina, in 1942 and began playing basketball at age seven. Her dedication to the sport led her to become the head coach of the North Carolina State University women's basketball team and a founding member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Yow passed away from breast cancer in 2009, 22 years after her initial diagnosis in 1987.
The Fund has inspired other teams, like the Oregon Ducks, to wear pink uniforms to bring attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and has made significant donations to cancer research, including a $100,000 grant to the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University.
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The game was part of UNC's annual Play4Kay game
The game between the North Carolina women's basketball team and the Virginia Tech Hokies was part of UNC's annual Play4Kay game, in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The game aimed to raise awareness for breast cancer and its impact on the community. The Tar Heels and Hokies have a long history of competition, with the rivalry dating back to the 1979-80 season. UNC leads the series 21-14, but Virginia Tech had won the previous four games.
The Tar Heels wore their pink uniforms, featuring white with pink trim and blue lettering, while the first 1,000 fans at the game received pink t-shirts. Breast cancer survivors and fighters were honoured at halftime. The game was also aired on ESPN2, providing a broader platform to showcase the initiative and engage a wider audience in the cause.
The annual Play4Kay game is a significant event for the University of North Carolina, bringing attention to a critical health issue and demonstrating the university's commitment to supporting cancer research and awareness. It is a testament to the power of sports to transcend competition and unite communities in support of a larger cause.
Additionally, Virginia Tech Women's Basketball also has a history of supporting breast cancer awareness initiatives. They host promotions and events to engage fans and raise awareness, such as their annual PlayKay game and National Girls & Women in Sports Day celebrations.
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The first 1,000 fans at the game received pink t-shirts
The University of North Carolina's women's basketball team hosted the No. 17 Virginia Tech Hokies for their annual Play4Kay game in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The Tar Heels wore pink uniforms – white with pink trim and blue lettering – and the first 1,000 fans at the game received pink t-shirts. The Play4Kay initiative strives to raise awareness for breast cancer and its effects on the community. The game also celebrated National Girls & Women in Sports Day, which is an annual event at Virginia Tech Women's Basketball. The day involves highlighting an all-female in-venue crew, hosting an exclusive workshop for girls during the game, and recognizing the achievements of various Virginia Tech women, past and present.
The game between the Tar Heels and the Hokies was the first of two games in the regular season and the 36th time the teams had met in total. UNC led the series 21-14, but Virginia Tech had won the previous four games. The last face-off in Chapel Hill was a thriller, with the Hokies winning on a last-second shot by Elizabeth Kitley. In the most recent game, Kitley scored 21 points and became the program's all-time leading scorer. UNC's last win in the series was in January 2022. The Tar Heels were coming off their first loss of the season at NC State the previous Thursday.
Giveaways and promotions are a common feature of Virginia Tech games, with the university often providing exciting opportunities for fans in attendance. For example, the Virginia Tech volleyball team had a Dig Pink Night game against North Carolina, sponsored by Carillion Clinic, with exciting giveaways and promotions for fans. Similarly, the women's basketball team had a Clue-themed contest and promotions during a midweek matchup, with a mystery prize giveaway that included a Virginia Tech Women's Basketball T-shirt. These initiatives by Virginia Tech Athletics enhance the game experience for fans and encourage attendance.
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Breast cancer survivors and fighters were honoured at halftime
The University of North Carolina's women's basketball team wore pink uniforms in their game against Virginia Tech to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The first 1,000 fans at the game received pink t-shirts, and breast cancer survivors and fighters were honoured at halftime. The game was part of UNC's annual Play4Kay game, which aims to raise awareness for breast cancer and its effects on the community.
The Tar Heels and Hokies have a long history of rivalry, with the Tar Heels leading the series 21-14. However, Virginia Tech has won the last four games, including a thrilling victory in Chapel Hill in 2023, where Elizabeth Kitley's last-second shot secured a 61-59 win for the Hokies.
The 2024 matchup was highly anticipated, with both teams ranked in the top 25. UNC came into the game with a 15-6 overall record and 7-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, while Virginia Tech held an impressive 17-4 (8-2 ACC) record. The game was expected to be a close contest, with both teams featuring talented players. Deja Kelly, for example, has been a standout performer for UNC, while Kitley has been a key player for Virginia Tech, becoming the program's all-time leading scorer during the 2024 season.
The game was also significant as it was one of two regular-season matchups between the teams and the 36th time they had met overall. The previous game in Chapel Hill had been a thriller, with Virginia Tech winning on a last-second shot by Kitley. The Hokies were looking to continue their winning streak against UNC, while the Tar Heels were determined to secure their first win against a top-25 team that season.
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The teams met again in Blacksburg, Virginia, on February 25
UNC's Deja Kelly led with 18 points and played all 40 minutes. Her final points put UNC up 58-57 with 12.2 seconds to play, but Virginia Tech's Cayla King hit two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining to give the Hokies the lead again. Kitley broke the tie to give Virginia Tech the win, finishing with 21 points and becoming the program's all-time leading scorer during the game.
The previous matchup between the two teams had been a thriller, with the Hokies winning on a last-second shot by Elizabeth Kitley. In the game before that, UNC's Alyssa Ustby made a free throw to tie the game with two seconds remaining, but Virginia Tech still managed to win.
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Frequently asked questions
Virginia Tech is wearing pink to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund as part of their annual Play4Kay game. The game will also see breast cancer survivors and fighters honoured at halftime.
Syracuse will be wearing their traditional orange.
Virginia Tech has won the last four games against Syracuse. The last face-off was a thriller, with the Hokies winning on a last-second shot by Elizabeth Kitley.
