Play 4Kay Initiative Showcases Top Talent in Women’s College Basketball on Feb. 17 & 18

ESPN will show an event-high 24 teams across ESPN2 and ESPNU Sunday, Feb. 17 and Monday, Feb. 18 as part of the Play 4Kay women’s basketball initiative – in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund®, in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation. The two-day event will showcase 12 ranked teams and 18 State Farm Wade Trophy hopefuls, including Brittney Griner (Baylor) and Skylar Diggins (Notre Dame).

Play 4Kay is in its seventh year and is in memory of former North Carolina State head coach Kay Yow, who died Jan. 24, 2009, after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer. The 2013 Play 4Kay initiative is an opportunity for a nation of coaches to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for research on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. Since its inception in 2007, the Play 4Kay initiative has raised over $2 million to support women’s cancer research.

Play 4Kay will showcase eight regionalized games in high definition within two ESPN2 telecast windows on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. The majority of the country will see the best action of the day with whip-around coverage between sites and updates from other games. In the 16 home markets of the competing teams, ESPN2 will start and remain primarily with the game of local interest.

Also, as part of the initiative, are two full-national telecasts on ESPNU at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., plus two Big Monday Presented by Bud Light games on ESPN2 on Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

ESPN3 will have the eight regionalized games in their entirety, while all the ESPNU and Big Monday games will be available on computers at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app for fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

Additional information on ESPN’s full platform coverage will be released closer to the event.

2013 Play 4Kay Schedule (Subject to change)

** – Regionalized telecast

Kay Yow Legacy

Yow’s coaching career spanned more than 38 years, including 34 with NC State. She had a record of 737-344, which encompassed 20 NCAA championship bids, a Women’s Final Four appearance in 1998 and four ACC Tournament championships. She also coached the U.S. Olympic women’s team to a gold medal in 1988 and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and was inducted in the inaugural NC State Hall of Fame in October, 2012.

About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the initiative or to make a donation, please visit www.Play4Kay.org.

About The V Foundation for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $120 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by the Foundation’s endowment. The Foundation awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

The WBCA

Founded in 1981, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association promotes women’s basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For more information on the WBCA, please visit www.wbca.org.

-30-