Yantko Shares Vision For Racer Athletics

Nico Yantko was welcomed back to Racer Nation as the 10^th athletics director in Murray State University history. Surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, staff and Racer Nico Yantko & Dr. Bob Jackson

fans, Yantko was introduced in a noon-time event in the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky.

As Murray State celebrates its centennial year, Racer Athletics begins its 99^th year of collegiate sports. Yantko, who played quarterback for the Racers from 2007-09, returns to his alma mater after honing his abilities recently at the University of Missouri and University of Louisiana in the last 11 years.

"We wouldn't be here today without a lot of special people," Yantko said. "This is a dream come true, this opportunity is humbling considering how much this institution means to me and my family. There is no higher honor than to come back and serve in this position at my alma mater and I cannot think of a better place to raise our family. Our goal is to lead the next generation of Murray State student-athletes to new heights of achievement and to increase the visibility of our institution with a highly successful athletics program."

"I've had the opportunity to hire a number of individuals in my career and Nico is one of the most passionate, hard-working and visionary athletic administrators that I have known," said Dr. Bob Jackson, Murray State President. "He will bring that here as we move to the next level and advance all of our programs. He started here as a graduate assistant, then on to North Carolina State, Missouri and Louisiana. There is not anyone more qualified to do this work and take us to the next level."

Yantko takes over the job as AD on Sept. 1 as the Racers begin their first year in the Missouri Valley Conference and join the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2023.

2022 Hall of Fame Dinner & Program
The annual Hall of Fame dinner is on the night of Nov. 11 at the CFSB Center. The 2022 class will also be recognized Nov. 12 at the Racer football game against Robert Morris (1 p.m. kick off) and a men's basketball game against a yet to be determined opponent. Hall of Fame dinner tickets may be purchased through the MSU ticket office online at GoRacers.com.

About Murray State Athletics
Located in Murray, Kentucky, the athletics department of Murray State University is a NCAA Division I member and plays in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Racers have 15 programs including men's teams for baseball, basketball, cross country, football and golf and women's teams for basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball, as well as a mixed gender rifle team. The Racers became members of the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2022. The Racers will become a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2023. The MSU rifle program competes in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Murray State University Athletics

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