Yow makes good first impression

Debbie Yow made her first remarks as NC State’s director of athletics Friday a little after 2, and from initial reaction most people were quite pleased with what they heard. The straight talking Yow talked openly about her goals for NC State athletics and did not mince words about those goals being accomplished. She talked some about the difference between talking the talk and walking the walk. The walk is yet to come, but she certainly gets an A+ in the talking department.

Debbie Yow Audio

Yow’s journey technically will not begin until July 15, but she seems ready to get the ball rolling on here goals for NC State.

Another interesting portion of today’s press conference was the question and answer session between the assembled media and Yow. Bobby Purcell came up more than once and both Yow and Chancellor Randy Woodson had to answer some tough questions about the process of her hire.

It turns out that Yow was not on the list of six candidates handed Chancellor Woodson by the search committee headed by Smedes York. Woodson said Yow was always on “his list” but that when someone of Yow’s stature is involved in a search there has to be a certain level of privacy that could not be guaranteed by a search committee. Regardless of whether or not you agree with Woodson on that matter, the end seems to have justified the means, at least for now.

There is a lot more to learn about Debbie Yow and her goals for NC State, something that I’m sure will take place throughout the rest of the summer. Yow has a reputation for being tough but fair and also is known for being fairly open with new media (including message boards). Despite knowing so much about the Yow family, Debbie is somewhat of an unknown entity for some Wolfpack fans. It will be interesting to learn more about her. The following is a clip from an interview conducted after the press conference concluded. Yow and Woodson made themselves available to the media in attendance for a good thirty minutes following the press conference.

More Yow Audio

Below are some bulleted points from Debbie Yow’s contract, which was included in the media packet handed out prior to Friday’s press conference.

• Yow’s initial contract begins July 15,2010 and will run through July 14, 2015. She will be evaluated annually by Chancellor Randy Woodson.
• Yow’s base salary will be $350,000 with the opportunity for bonus money based on performance

Football Bonus Opportunities (they are not cumulative)

• $50,000 if the football team wins the ACC Championship
• $25,o00 if the football team finishes the regular season in second, third or fourth place
• $15,000 if the football team finished in fifth or sixth place
• $100,000 if the football team wins the National Championship

Men’s and Women’s Basketball Bonus Opportunities

• $25,000 if the team wins the ACC regular season championship
• $10,000 if the team wins the ACC Tournament
• $20,000 if the team participates in the NCAA Tournament (years 1-3) and $15,000 in years four through five
• $25,000 if the team participates in the Final Four
• $50,000 if the team is named National Champions

Other Bonus Opportunities

• $5,000 if a varsity team wins an ACC regular season championship
• $2,500 if a varsity team participates in a post-season NCAA competition
• $10,000 if a varsity sports team wins an NCAA Championship

There are also opportunities for Yow to earn bonuses based on APR numbers and Directors Cup standings. Woodson referenced the importance of both of those ratings several times during Friday’s press conference and interviews.

Here’s a complete list of Yow’s duties as director of athletics in her contract. Some of these are paraphrased to keep heads from spinning.

Devote her best efforts full-time to leadership, supervision and promotion of NC State’s athletic programs

Be responsible for direction, interpretation and review of NC State’s intercollegiate athletic programs and policies

Assure than NC State has plans, policies, procedures and programs that are in compliance with the bylaws of the ACC and the NCAA

Understand, observe and uphold all academic standards, requirements and policies of NC State as well as the constitution and bylaws of the ACC and NCAA

Use her best efforts to ensure that all academic standards, requirements and policies of NC State are observed including those in connection with recruiting and eligibility of perspective and current athletes

Develop procedures and programs that assure the welfare of student-athletes

Promote athletic excellence and a competitive program on local, conference and national levels for the men’s and women’s intercollegiate varsity sports programs

Maintain and enforce any and all disciplinary policies and drug/alcohol policies of NC State

Maintain effective relations with governing boards, associations conferences committees, alumni, students, faculty and staff

Direct the athletic fundraising and marketing

Coordinate and support activities that promote the SAA member and alumni participation through support of athletic-related events in Raleigh and at other locations in North Carolina and elsewhere

Consult regularly with the Faculty Athletics Representative and the assistant Athletic Director for Compliance

Submit reports, recommendations and supporting documentation to the Athletics Council and the Chancellor, as necessary

Direct NC State’s intercollegiate athletic events and activities, including management of staff, maintenance and development of athletic facilities, responsibility for budget and other resources while operating in a sound fiscal manner

Annually evaluate coaches and athletics staff

Promote NC State’s commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action and compliance with Title IX

Perform such other duties as assigned from timt to time by the Chancellor

There have been a ton of opinions about this hire already, and we’re not even 24 hours into it. Some people hate it, others love it. Some people are taking the wait and see approach (I highly recommend this method) while others are too numb to care. Alpha Wolf got the ball rolling for SFN this afternoon with his thoughts on the hire. There will certainly be more to come in the next few days and weeks. In the interim, continue to check out the message forums to get more opinions on the Yow hire.

Stay tuned for more.