It was certainly good news to hear that N.C. State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow is returning to the sidelines after breast cancer treatment.

Dr. Mark Graham has given her the go-ahead, and she’ll return to the sidelines Thursday for the first time since she took her leave of absence back in November. The 13-7 Wolfpack will host Virginia.

Coach Yow is 64 years old and is in her 32nd year at N.C. State. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 1987 and has fought the disease the only way she knows -- with an upbeat, positive attitude. That is truly one of her great qualities, and hopefully, this time, she’s put cancer in her rearview mirror for good.

Yow has 696 career wins and is one of the great figures of women’s basketball. Years ago, she was one of those who tirelessly promoted the women’s game. And she is a huge reason that the collegiate game is where is it is now. Because of her success at State, Carolina and Duke had to become better in women’s basketball. She was the first to set the bar.

I can’t tell you how many times over the years I was at Reynolds Coliseum and Coach Yow would approach me to make sure I was aware that a big game was coming up and not just a big State game. She just wanted what was best for women’s basketball. She wanted to build women’s basketball. She wanted others to care and appreciate the potential of the women’s game and no question she was one of the trailblazers.

Her credentials are impressive, including the head coach of the 1988 Olympic Gold Medal winning team and the biggest tribute of all, her induction in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. But I’ll give her a tribute bigger than that. Kay Yow is a great lady who has meant so much to many people.

So, it will now seem like all is right come Thursday. Kay Yow will be back where she belongs, on the N.C. State bench.