10/27/2026 11:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Kay Yow Cancer Fund announced its third class of Kay Yow Servant Leader Award winners, and Youngstown State senior guard Dacia Lewandowski was among those honored.
The award was created prior to the 2024-25 season to honor student-athletes who exemplify the values of leadership, selflessness and service in the fight against all cancers affecting women. Lewandowski, a senior guard from Butler, Pa., will serve as a team captain for the Penguins once again in 2026-27. She has played in 48 games for YSU over the past two seasons.
"Dacia is a true ambassador of our program, a selfless leader and someone who embodies our core values," said YSU head coach Melissa Jackson. "It has been a privilege to witness Dacia's commitment to her faith, family, teammates and community. We are so proud of her for being recognized as a Kay Yow Servant Leader award winner. I know she will wear this recognition with great pride."
Kay Yow a legendary coach in women's basketball - Olympic gold medal coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee had a 22-year, on-again, off-again battle with breast cancer. She fought that battle in the public arena. Her hope was to inspire others to make a difference in a fight that impacts each and every one of us – counting on the sports community of coaches, players, officials, and fans to propel the cause.
The Kay Yow Servant Leader Award honors her legacy and the young people who carry the fight against all cancer affecting women forward. Current student-athletes are nominated by their coach because they exemplify Coach Yow's spirit and reflect her resolve, grace, generosity, and servant's heart both on and off the court. Award winners receive public acknowledgment of their accomplishment and are recognized by a patch they wear on their uniform during the year they win the award.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to raising money for life-saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare, and uniting people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded more than $11 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, or to donate, please visit KayYow.com.
Youngstown State opens the 2026-27 season on Nov. 2 by hosting Hiram at 6:30 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. Season tickets are available by calling the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at (330) 941-1978.
