Sue Donohoe appointed executive director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund announced Sue Donohoe as its new executive director Wednesday. Previously Donohoe worked for the NCAA as the vice president in charge of championships and alliances for women’s basketball. She left that position at the end of last month.

In an NCAA press release on October 26 she said she was leaving her job for family and personal reasons.

“From the time I was a graduate assistant coach when the Lady Techsters of Louisiana Tech won the first-ever NCAA Women’s Final Four in 1982 until this day, I have tried to give the best of who I am to this game, for which I have the utmost respect,” said Donohoe. “I have experienced this championship as a coach and administrator and hope I have contributed to its growth in my role at the NCAA.”

She joined the NCAA in 1999 after working as a high school and college coach and in athletics administration.

“We could not have hired a better person and better administrator than Sue Donohoe,” said Connie Rogers-Newcome, president of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “What sets Sue apart is she has the passion to be a part of finding a cure for cancer.”

Donohoe has been an active participant in Kay Yow Cancer Fund activities since its inception in 2007 when it was established by the late Kay Yow, the former NC State University head women’s basketball coach. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987. She battled the disease until her passing in 2009. The fund has raised over $4.5 million dollars to support research and women’s cancer programs.

Donohoe begins her new position at the beginning of January and will relocate to Cary, N.C. Former Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp stepped down from the position in September.