Murray State University Athletics
Runnin’ With The Racers Podcast – Yantko Casts Vision For Future
2/13/2023 4:00:00 PM | General
Let’s catch up with AD Nico Yantko as the Racers head into 2023 and beyond
As the Murray State Racers experience their first year in the Missouri Valley Conference, Nico Yantko is quickly casting and implementing a new vision.
Yantko, on the job as Director of Athletics since August, was Dave Winder's guest on the Runnin' with the Racers Podcast. The Runnin' with the Racers Podcast posts each week to GoRacers.com, iTunes and Soundcloud.
Here are some of the highlights from the podcast.
The Racer Road Map
From a football homecoming record crowd of 15,122, to big wins in the fall for soccer and volleyball, to a successful basketball season, the 2023-24 school year is rolling into spring sports and momentum is being felt by everyone.
When the Racers officially became members of The Valley last July 1, it set Murray State University on a path of growth in decades to come. With approximately 91 percent of Murray State's current student-body and 80 percent of its alumni coming from the MVC footprint, the future is bright for the Racers in The Valley.
"We want to size up and compete against the best of the best," Yantko said. "The road map we are putting together will allow us to find ways to increase the trajectory for each of our sports program. We're going to prioritize recruiting and revenue generation, from every decision we make internally, but also to look at our facilities sports park plan. We will be an athletics department that will focus on excellence in everything we do."
MSU Football Steps Up To MVFC This Fall
It will certainly be a historic day when the Racers host the Indiana State Sycamores (Sept. 30) for the Racers' first Missouri Valley Football Conference game during Murray State Family Weekend.
"When you look at our schedule, what a treat to see some of the teams coming here and the places we're going to go play at," Yantko said. "Football season is special and we can't wait to add a couple more wrinkles to the fan's experience. We're resourcing it like never before and I am thrilled for that, just like we are thrilled to resource all our programs at a championship level."
The Racers open the season at home against Presbyterian (Sept. 2) and homecoming comes (Oct. 14) when the Racers host Southern Illinois.
Very soon, season ticket renewals will be underway for the Racers as they steam toward their 99th season of collegiate football and their fourth season under Head Coach Dean Hood. The MSU Football staff recently wrapped up a successful recruiting season and will finish off the spring season April 28 when the annual spring game is played at Roy Stewart Stadium.
Preparing For Success – Dennis Jackson Leadership Program
Murray State Athletics officially launched the Dennis Jackson Leadership program, powered by Swift & Staley (Jan. 18).
The program provides the needed tools to Murray State student-athletes in the areas of personal growth, life skills and professional development. From recruitment through retirement, the program is a guide for student-athletes to be successful people both with their families and in their careers.
"Our student-athletes who are going to come through this program and be ready when they step off with rings and banners, but the goal is to have them walking into a job," Yantko said. "We're excited to provide them the opportunity to build a great network while they're in school. They can have resources beyond their coaches and family members."
"We're really excited about all of the good work that is going on here," Yantko added. "It's exciting to shore up all of the little details so that we can share with Racer Nation all of the opportunities in which they can get involved with. This is one thing I know, our partners (fanbase, alumni, supporters) are passionate about Murray State Athletics.
Yantko, on the job as Director of Athletics since August, was Dave Winder's guest on the Runnin' with the Racers Podcast. The Runnin' with the Racers Podcast posts each week to GoRacers.com, iTunes and Soundcloud.
Here are some of the highlights from the podcast.
The Racer Road Map
From a football homecoming record crowd of 15,122, to big wins in the fall for soccer and volleyball, to a successful basketball season, the 2023-24 school year is rolling into spring sports and momentum is being felt by everyone.
When the Racers officially became members of The Valley last July 1, it set Murray State University on a path of growth in decades to come. With approximately 91 percent of Murray State's current student-body and 80 percent of its alumni coming from the MVC footprint, the future is bright for the Racers in The Valley.
"We want to size up and compete against the best of the best," Yantko said. "The road map we are putting together will allow us to find ways to increase the trajectory for each of our sports program. We're going to prioritize recruiting and revenue generation, from every decision we make internally, but also to look at our facilities sports park plan. We will be an athletics department that will focus on excellence in everything we do."
MSU Football Steps Up To MVFC This Fall
It will certainly be a historic day when the Racers host the Indiana State Sycamores (Sept. 30) for the Racers' first Missouri Valley Football Conference game during Murray State Family Weekend.
"When you look at our schedule, what a treat to see some of the teams coming here and the places we're going to go play at," Yantko said. "Football season is special and we can't wait to add a couple more wrinkles to the fan's experience. We're resourcing it like never before and I am thrilled for that, just like we are thrilled to resource all our programs at a championship level."
The Racers open the season at home against Presbyterian (Sept. 2) and homecoming comes (Oct. 14) when the Racers host Southern Illinois.
Very soon, season ticket renewals will be underway for the Racers as they steam toward their 99th season of collegiate football and their fourth season under Head Coach Dean Hood. The MSU Football staff recently wrapped up a successful recruiting season and will finish off the spring season April 28 when the annual spring game is played at Roy Stewart Stadium.
Preparing For Success – Dennis Jackson Leadership Program
Murray State Athletics officially launched the Dennis Jackson Leadership program, powered by Swift & Staley (Jan. 18).
The program provides the needed tools to Murray State student-athletes in the areas of personal growth, life skills and professional development. From recruitment through retirement, the program is a guide for student-athletes to be successful people both with their families and in their careers.
"Our student-athletes who are going to come through this program and be ready when they step off with rings and banners, but the goal is to have them walking into a job," Yantko said. "We're excited to provide them the opportunity to build a great network while they're in school. They can have resources beyond their coaches and family members."
"We're really excited about all of the good work that is going on here," Yantko added. "It's exciting to shore up all of the little details so that we can share with Racer Nation all of the opportunities in which they can get involved with. This is one thing I know, our partners (fanbase, alumni, supporters) are passionate about Murray State Athletics.
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