Staff Directory

Coach Ryan Miller Introduction
Murray State Men's Basketball
CFSB Center - Murray Room
March 27, 2025
(c) 2025 David Eaton

Nico Yantko

Title:
Director of Athletics

NICO YANTKO - DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Hometown	Dayton, Ohio
Alma Mater	Murray State (2009, 2010)
Wife	Marnie
Children	Chaney, Gino
CAREER EXPERIENCE
Year	School, Position
2022-Pres.	Murray State, Director of Athletics
2017-22	Louisiana, Deputy Athletic Director
2011-17	Missouri, Associate AD for Development (2015-17) Missouri, Assistant AD for Development (2013-15) Missouri, Director of Development (2011-13)
2010-11	NC State, Gift Officer
CAREER HONORS
Year	Award
2024	MSUAA Top 22 Under 40
2022	The Athletic 40 Under 40

Nico Yantko was named the 10^th Director of Athletics in Murray State history on Aug. 15, 2022.

Yantko is regarded as one of the most influential and innovative college administrators in the nation and boasts more than a decade’s worth of executive-level experience highlighted by extensive leadership experience in the SEC, Big 12, ACC, Sun Belt, and the Missouri Valley Conference.

Under his leadership, Murray State Athletics has entered a transformative era defined by record fundraising, innovation, championship success, and major investments.

In 2024, Yantko launched the $100 million Leading the Pack campaign, securing the university’s largest-ever gift of $10 million and achieving consecutive record fundraising years of $21.5M and $24.1M in 2025 and 2026.

Yantko has modernized operations with a progressive front office structure, introducing General Manager and President of Basketball Operations roles and expanding capabilities in roster management, revenue sharing, and analytics.

He has also driven major facility and fan engagement initiatives, including Racer Athletics Commercial Entertainment (RACE) Enterprises, which oversees Racer Entertainment Village—a mixed-use district featuring premium seating, retail, hospitality, and upgraded facilities to support long-term growth, as well as capital projects exceeding $50 million.

These investments have fueled sustained championship-level performance with NCAA postseason success in basketball and a College World Series appearance in baseball, while also overseeing Murray State’s elevation to the Missouri Valley Conference and achieving the program’s top finish in school history in the MVC All-Sports Trophy.

He was responsible for the launch of the Dennis Jackson Leadership Program, a comprehensive initiative focused on developing student-athletes beyond competition. The program has contributed to record-setting academic performance, including the highest GPAs and Graduation Success Rates (GSR) in school history, while helping set the school record for community service engagement and financial literacy education to prepare student-athletes for long-term success.

Yantko’s vision focuses on building an innovative, competitive, and financially sustainable program that integrates elite performance, strong student-athlete support, and a dynamic fan experience.

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA (2017-2022)
Prior to arriving in Murray, Yantko served as the Deputy Athletic Director for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Department of Athletics. He was an integral part of the department’s transformation in competitive success, facility growth, resource development and brand recognition.

Provided executive leadership for all external operations and revenue-generating units, overseeing strategic planning, daily operations and department-wide initiatives.
Reimagined Louisiana Athletics' external relations model, implementing innovative strategies that significantly increased fan engagement, brand visibility and revenue generation.
Secured the largest athletics gift in university history—a transformational $15 million naming rights partnership with Our Lady of Lourdes for Cajun Field.
Increased football ticket memberships by more than 40% from 2019–21 while generating more than 100% growth in football ticket revenue.
Tripled annual digital impressions and engagement across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, dramatically expanding the national reach of the Ragin' Cajuns brand.
Led an award-winning external team recognized nationally with NACMA Marketing Team of the Year honors and multiple "Best Of" awards, while Learfield/IMG named Ragin' Cajuns Sports Properties its 2020 Property of the Year.
Negotiated the department's first-ever linear television agreement with Cox Sports Television, expanding Louisiana Athletics' exposure into millions of households nationwide.
Implemented a comprehensive fundraising strategy that produced record-setting philanthropic support, surpassing $30 million in annual giving during FY21.
Served as football sport administrator, leading the hiring of head coach Billy Napier and overseeing one of the most successful eras in program history, including 41 victories in four seasons, a No. 15 national ranking, an outright Sun Belt Championship and record championship game attendance.
Created the privately-funded Geaux Lead Academy, an innovative student-athlete development program focused on leadership, civic engagement, career readiness, NIL education, internships and executive mentorship to prepare student-athletes for success beyond graduation.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI (2011-17)
Prior to his arrival in Lafayette, Yantko spent nearly seven years on staff at the University of Missouri, rising to Associate Athletic Director for Development in 2016.

Served on the executive leadership team that guided Missouri's historic transition from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), supporting one of the most significant realignment moves in collegiate athletics.
Directed fundraising strategies supporting more than $250 million in athletics facility initiatives, helping transform Mizzou's competitive and operational infrastructure.
Led fundraising efforts that produced the two most successful philanthropic years in department history, generating $45.7 million and $50.3 million in annual gifts.
Set a university record by closing 11 seven-figure gifts during fiscal year 2017, demonstrating exceptional major gift leadership and donor engagement.
Played a key role in overseeing $200 million in Memorial Stadium renovations, enhancing the student-athlete experience, fan amenities and long-term facility competitiveness.
Helped drive record football attendance and revenue, contributing to the two highest football ticket sales seasons in school history while expanding statewide alumni and donor engagement through outreach initiatives across all 114 Missouri counties and Chicago.
Strengthened the Mizzou brand through strategic external partnerships, serving as liaison to the Kansas City and St. Louis Sports Foundations and helping broker the high-profile football matchup against BYU at Arrowhead Stadium.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY (2010-11)
Yantko served in a variety of roles at North Carolina State University, including marketing, ticket sales and the Wolfpack Club.

Member of Debbie Yow’s and Bobby Purcell’s team that surpassed 20,000 donors for NC State.
Oversaw Lifetime Rights Sales for Carter Finley Stadium (FB) and worked with the major gift and capital campaigns team.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Yantko is a dual graduate of Murray State, earning a bachelor's degree in Business and Integrated Studies in 2009 and earned a master's degree in Human Development and Leadership, Public Administration in 2010.

He was a three-year football letter winner and starting quarterback for the Racers from 2007-09 and served as a member of the MSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, while briefly serving as a football staff assistant before embarking on his career in college athletics administration. Yantko served as a team captain and earned all-conference academic honors during his time as the Racers signal caller.

Yantko was inducted into the Fairborn High School (Dayton, Ohio) Athletics Hall of Fame in September of 2021.

Yantko lives in Murray with his wife, Marnie, their daughter, Chaney, their son, Gino, and their dog, Cannoli.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Mike Alden – Former University of Missouri Director of Athletics
"Nico Yantko embodies the core values, work ethic and leadership so important as the Director of Athletics. He is a rising star in college athletics. Congratulations to President Jackson and Murray State on a great hire."

Dr. Joan Gabel – University of Pittsburgh President
"Nico is the perfect choice to lead Murray State Athletics to even greater success. He has character, vision, experience, and is a proud Racer. This is an ideal homecoming."

Billy Napier – James Madison University Head Football Coach
"Congratulations to Nico Yantko for the leadership opportunity at Murray State. It's no surprise that he continues to advance in college athletics. He was a pivotal piece to our success in our four years at Louisiana. We will always be thankful for all that he did to help our team and staff. He and Marnie will represent his Alma Mater with class and integrity. The best is yet to come for the Racers!"

Keith Gill – Sun Belt Conference Commissioner
"Murray State could not have made a better choice than Nico Yantko for their next director of athletics. Nico has been an instrumental part of the success of Louisiana Athletics and the Sun Belt Conference. As an alum and former football student-athlete, nobody loves Murray State more than Nico. He is a bright, engaging and innovative athletics administrator and the perfect person to lead Murray State to new heights."

Austen Lane – Murray State Football (2006-09) – Murray State Hall of Famer & Teammate
"I was honored to have shared the field with Nico for three years at Murray State. In that time, he was the definition of a leader whose work ethic and passion embodied what it meant to be a Racer. He was a heck of a player on the field but more importantly an even better person off it and I'm proud to call him a friend. There's not a doubt in my mind he's going to shine in his new role at Murray State and I can't wait to watch him take Racer Athletics to new heights."

Bobby Purcell – North Carolina State Athletics Special Assistant to the AD
"Nico Yantko is one of the brightest young administrators in college athletics today. He is smart and personable. He is a wonderful father, husband, and person. He will be a tremendous leader for Murray State and everyone will love him. Congrats on a great hire."

Dr. Bryan Maggard – University of Louisiana Director of Athletics
"Nico is both an exceptional person and professional. He has played a major role in our establishment of national relevance at the University of Louisiana the past five years. I am excited to watch Nico lead Murray State Athletics for years to come and wish him, Marnie and their family great success."