University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Photo by: UNC Asheville
Bulldog Fan James Naisang Set to Compete in Free Throw Challenge at Women’s Final Four
03.31.2017 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Final Four tips off tonight in Dallas, Texas, with four of the best women's basketball programs on the court battling for the opportunity to play for a national championship. Coaches from across the nation will be in attendance for their annual national convention as well and amongst those in attendance for tonight's games will be some UNC Asheville blue.
James Naisang will represent the Bulldogs and the city of Asheville as he competes in his own challenge, the Play4Kay National Free Throw Challenge tonight during the Mississippi State-UCONN game at 10 p.m. Naisang was the top free throw-shooting fan across the nation of teams that participated in the challenge. He will be going up against the top free throw-shooting coach in the nation, Jason Flowers of Cal State Northbridge.
"It is an honor to be able to attend the NCAA Women's Final Four and participate in the Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge," Naisang said. "As a 1992 graduate of N.C. State, I have a high respect for the life of Coach Yow and still remember the example she bravely modeled for both her players and the entire student body. I am blessed to be a part of an event that honors cancer survivors, raises awareness for the battle against cancers that affect women, while raising money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. This is a wonderful opportunity that I will not soon forget!"
Naisang and UNC Asheville's Director of Marketing Promotions and Fan Engagement, Erin Punter Spence, flew to Dallas for the event earlier this week. Naisang and Flowers will compete head-to-head tonight.
To be eligible for the event, coaches had to submit video evidence of them shooting free throws. The coach with the most consecutive free throws made, Flowers, was rewarded with airfare, lodging and a game ticket to the 2017 Women's Final Four. Fans at participating schools then competed during their school's Play4Kay Game and the top fan also received airfare, hotel lodging and a game ticket.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund officially was founded Dec. 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, who was North Carolina State University's head women's basketball coach. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease Jan. 24, 2009. To date, the fund has awarded more than $5.28 million in grants for women's cancer research. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, visit www.KayYow.com.
James Naisang will represent the Bulldogs and the city of Asheville as he competes in his own challenge, the Play4Kay National Free Throw Challenge tonight during the Mississippi State-UCONN game at 10 p.m. Naisang was the top free throw-shooting fan across the nation of teams that participated in the challenge. He will be going up against the top free throw-shooting coach in the nation, Jason Flowers of Cal State Northbridge.
"It is an honor to be able to attend the NCAA Women's Final Four and participate in the Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge," Naisang said. "As a 1992 graduate of N.C. State, I have a high respect for the life of Coach Yow and still remember the example she bravely modeled for both her players and the entire student body. I am blessed to be a part of an event that honors cancer survivors, raises awareness for the battle against cancers that affect women, while raising money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. This is a wonderful opportunity that I will not soon forget!"
Naisang and UNC Asheville's Director of Marketing Promotions and Fan Engagement, Erin Punter Spence, flew to Dallas for the event earlier this week. Naisang and Flowers will compete head-to-head tonight.
To be eligible for the event, coaches had to submit video evidence of them shooting free throws. The coach with the most consecutive free throws made, Flowers, was rewarded with airfare, lodging and a game ticket to the 2017 Women's Final Four. Fans at participating schools then competed during their school's Play4Kay Game and the top fan also received airfare, hotel lodging and a game ticket.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund officially was founded Dec. 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, who was North Carolina State University's head women's basketball coach. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease Jan. 24, 2009. To date, the fund has awarded more than $5.28 million in grants for women's cancer research. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, visit www.KayYow.com.
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