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Sharp takes on new role at Texas Tech, resigns from Yow Fund

NCAA.org

Marsha Sharp has resigned her role as executive director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund after accepting a position as associate athletics director at Texas Tech, where she was the women’s basketball coach from 1982 to 2006.

Sharp, a Women's Basketball Hall of Fame member who compiled a career record of 572-189 and led her teams to eight conference championships and a national championship in 1993, will focus on professional development and community engagement at Texas Tech.

Sharp, who began her role with the Yow Fund in May 2009, will continue her duties until a replacement is found. A search committee consisting of several Yow Fund board members will begin that process immediately. Sharp will also continue to serve on the board.

“I have always considered my position with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund as one of the greatest honors I’ve been given in my career,” said Sharp. “This is a cause that I am very passionate about, not only because it has been a chance to make a difference in the fight against women’s cancer, but also because it gave me an opportunity to continue the legacy of my dear friend Kay Yow.”

Sharp on Wednesday helped announce that the WBCA Pink Zone effort in which teams designate a game in February to raise cancer awareness has been rebranded as the Play 4Kay initiative.

With Yow’s death in January 2009, Sharp stepped in as the first executive director and led the Fund through its infancy and subsequent growth. The organization has raised more than $4.5 million for research grants focused on women’s cancers and has grown on both the national and grass-roots levels in support and awareness.

“Marsha is both a leader and a servant for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund,” said Connie Rogers-Newcome, president of the Yow Fund.  “Her position as the fund’s first executive director will be greatly missed, but she will still be one of Coach Yow’s ‘lifers’ on the board of directors.”