Nico Yantko

**At Murray State**

* Nico Yantko (pronounced: Nick-oh Yank-oh) was named the 10th athletics director in Murray State history on Aug. 15, 2022.
* A Murray State alumnus, Yantko returns to Murray State University as the Racers begin their first year in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2022-23 and join the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2023.
* He is a former Racer quarterback from 2007-09.
* He comes home to Murray State after career stops at North Carolina State, the University of Missouri and the University of Louisiana.

"We are extremely excited to have Nico back home," said Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson. "He has a wealth of experience at the highest level and will provide the leadership to move us forward in every respect as we transition to the Missouri Valley Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. Academically, athletically and otherwise, and as I state often, our best days are in front of us as we continue expanding on our 100-year legacy of excellence. Most importantly, Nico fully understands the priority of meeting the needs of our student-athletes and will work to raise the profile and success of all of our athletic programs."

"To be named the next Athletics Director at Murray State is a dream come true," said Yantko. "This opportunity is unbelievably humbling, considering how much this institution and what it stands for means to me and so many others. I cannot thank Dr. Jackson and the rest of our university leadership enough for the chance to return home. Murray State has been built on relationships, and with every special moment we share together, we will continue to build and advance the Racers' tradition of excellence. There is no higher honor than to serve my alma mater in this role, and Marnie and I cannot think of a better place to raise our family."

**University of Louisiana (2017-22)**

* Worked at Louisiana with the Ragin' Cajuns as Deputy Director of Athletics under AD Dr. Bryan Maggard.
* Led the Ragin' Cajuns external departments and operations and managed a $35m budget that impacted 450 student-athletes, 16 sport programs, 205 department employees and eight athletics venues.
* Delivered consistent increased resource development, brand popularity and competitive success was a major reason for Louisiana's 2021-22 run of Sun Belt Conference championships in football, baseball and softball and the department's top fundraising year of more than $30M.
* In 2019, increased donor club giving by 52 percent and membership by 47 percent, both highest totals in school history.
* Secured the largest gift in university history - $15M.
* Built relationship with Learfield/IMG for first multimedia rights agreement that produced $14M annual revenue.
* Led design and funding for $89M in capital projects and facility enhancements for baseball, football and softball, plus student-athlete dining center and broadcast studio.

Negotiated a 4-year linear TV agreement with Cox Sports.

* Developed premium seating plan for new baseball facility that generated $1.3M annually.
* Increased football season ticket sales 103 percent from 2018 to 2020, tops in school history.
* Helped create the Geaux Lead Academy, a total student-athlete program focusing on life skills and career planning.
* Managed relationship with concessions partner Sodexo (MSU's dining/concessions partner).
* Oversaw Campus NIL Working Committee – responsible for establishing policies, best practices, and strategic partnerships.
* External Team recognized as NACMA Marketing Team of the Year finalist (2020).

Oversight of relationship with Learfield/IMG - team recognized as Learfield/IMG Property of the Year (2021).

**University of Missouri (2011-17)**

* Reported directly to AD Mike Alden on coordination of external engagement and statewide outreach.
* Performed in duties including development, major gifts and capital campaigns.

Served as committee member to lead Mizzou transition from Big-12 Conference to Southeastern Conference.

* Helped guide initiatives to directly impact Mizzou basketball student-athletes through facility enhancements for Missouri's basketball arena, including student-athlete locker room, lounge and athletic performance and player development space.
* Led all athletic fundraising and major gifts for Tiger Scholarship Fund.
* Oversaw fundraising team that had the two largest years of productivity of $45.7M in 2013 and $50.4M in 2017.
* Set Missouri Athletics records of 11 seven-figure gifts in 2017.
* Implemented strategies that led to the two highest football season ticket sales years in 2014 and 2015.
* He also served as the liaison to the Kansas City Sports Foundation and St. Louis Sports Foundation (key MVC partner).

**At North Carolina State**

* Yantko worked at North Carolina State with the Wolfpack Club and as a marketing and sales assistant in 2011.
* Oversight of group ticket sales for football, men's basketball, baseball and gymnastics.
* Led Varsity Club coordinating outreach, events/reunions and solutions.

**At Murray State - Playing Career**

* Earned undergrad degree at Murray State in integrated studies, business and communications in 2009.
* Played football for the Racers from 2007-09 as a quarterback.
* In 10 career games at MSU, completed 112 passes in 195 attempts for 991 yards and seven touchdowns.
* Served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).
* Was Racer Football as graduate assistant in 2010. Later that year, he moved into athletics external operations.
* Earned a Master's in human development and leadership, public administration from Murray State in 2010.

**Personal**

* Yantko and his wife, Marnie, daughter, Chaney, reside in Murray.