Over the course of her 38-year coaching career, Kay Yow’s voice became a galvanizing force within the sport of Women’s Basketball. She guided NC State to 20 of 27 NCAA Tournaments, 11 trips to the Sweet 16, 1 trip to the Elite Eight, 1 more to the Final Four, and her success eventually landed her in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The 2006-2007 season was perhaps both the most tumultuous and the most rewarding. Four games into the season, Coach Yow was forced to take a leave of absence due to the progression of her breast cancer. She missed 16 games before making a triumphant return in a win over longtime rival Virginia on Jan. 26, 2007. The team fed off her emotion and won 10 of their next 11 games, including her 700th career victory and a win over No. 2 UNC.

For its latest collab with Kay Yow, Nike has chosen to honor another longtime hoops legend: The Air Force 1. And while the silhouette is familiar, signature details put an inspiring twist on the iconic design. An offset, perforated Swoosh adds texture to the shoe’s leather upper, while the heel and insole feature unique graphics paying homage to Kay and her lasting impact.