Working in the athletics department at any university is a year-round commitment. While all the seasons conclude in the summer, the athletics department continues preparing and innovating for the next athletic year.
As Athletic Director Nico Yantko takes the end of the semester to look back at the good athletics has done this year, he said he believes there is a lot more work to do as they look to not only set up students for success after they leave Murray State but also compete for championships.
“We put our student-athletes at the center of the ecosystem,” Yantko said. “We want to continue to resource that with efforts (like) the Dennis Jackson Leadership Program and the other infrastructures around that. Ultimately, we want to compete and win championships.”
Yantko expressed his gratitude to the investors that are “helping write our next chapter” as the athletics department continues to raise money that goes toward projects like the CFSB Center renovations, new gear and equipment and upgrades to each team’s locker room area. Yantko said in one of his three years at the helm of the athletics department, they raised $21.5 million.
College athletics has seen some sweeping changes in recent years with players being allowed instant eligibility after entering the transfer portal; Name, Image and Likeness; and the House bill that allows for universities to share revenue gains with student athletes through NIL deals. Each new facet of college athletics has its “pros and cons” but Yantko said they’re going to continue “skating to where the puck is going, not where the puck is at.”
“(There is) no doubt that the momentum we have building behind all of these disruptions to our ecosystem position us very well to call some shots,” Yantko said. “Let’s take some unique, calculated risks that are going to elevate what we’re doing. I believe that we’re really positioned in our sport programs to (field competitive teams). Does that mean we’re going to be the most resourced team in the country? No, not at all. We’re going to make sure that we’re always working hard and living in our vision and circumstances, and we’re going to punch above our weight class in everything we do.”
Yantko’s mindset stays positive as he talks about potential roadblocks as the department continues to move forward with innovation and striving for success.
“There’s a lot of unknowns,” Yantko said. “I wouldn’t necessarily call them concerns as I do just making sure that we’re galvanizing our plan here and ensuring that we have a road map that will allow us to continue to execute at a high level that we have been the past 31 months.”
A common theme at many Murray State sporting events this year was lacking fan presence in comparison to events in years past. Students weren’t showing up to support their peers and friends outside of Tent City and basketball’s Greek Night (which was canceled due to power outages on campus). Yantko knows that it’s going to take more than just new concession options to get fans to show up and support.
“Look, it’s no secret that we’ve got to win,” Yantko said, “We’re going to continue to find a way to put a competitive program on the court of play and recruit great (individuals) that engage our campus. We (also) must engage our student body.”
Yantko said Madison Kirby, assistant athletic director for administration external engagement, is working with fraternities and sororities to help increase their involvement and make them feel part of the athletics department’s hoped-for success.
“Energy translates,” Yantko said. “We need our students because students set the tone. When they bring the energy, the rest of the fan base reciprocates it and our players feed off that energy.”
Yantko also brought up ongoing initiatives that the athletics department has going on, like the Racer Rally Program, Classroom of the Month and Junior Racers.
All of the talk of team success led to the Murray State women’s basketball team getting mentioned. The Racers won the Missouri Valley Conference championship and clinched an NCAA Tournament appearance for the second time ever. This led fans to voice their opinion and push for Head Coach Rechelle Turner to get a pay raise. Yantko addressed what her contract looks like and how Turner is making more than what some of Racer Nation might have thought.
“Last year, we announced an extension for Rechelle,” Yantko said. “That came with built-in escalators. I think Rechelle’s increase since my arrival is near, let’s call it a $70,000 increase. That’s nearly a 70% increase for Rechelle Turner’s compensation.”
Yantko made it clear that the investments made for the women’s basketball program and how Turner has utilized the assets at her disposal have helped bring on court success and continue to elevate the program.
“We’ve been able to hire qualified assistant coaches,” Yantko said. “Like a Wyatt Foust or a Kayla Kleifgen. What I’m so excited about and appreciative of Rechelle for is the job she’s done with those resources, and you’re seeing the competitive success come from it. We’re really excited about the investments made and we’ll continue to have other elevations going to that program.”
One of the things people are most excited for is the upcoming renovations to CFSB Center, and though Yantko didn’t have an exact timeline, he did confirm they were moving to the next phase of the plan.
“We’ve gone through the full (request for proposal) process and we’re now in the full on design phase,” Yantko said. “There’s a lot of details that go into these processes and timetables shift and merge as things come along, but the reality is that we’re actively involved in the design phase now, which is a huge step for us moving this (project) forward, and to making sure we’re bring this vision to reality very soon in the coming seasons.”
Yantko also took the time to thank University President Bob Jackson for his support in all of the projects they’ve undertaken since he came in as athletic director, but said there is still some time before Jackson is officially retired.
“We still have several months until that last day,” Yantko said. “He and I have a lot of work (to do) before then.”
Yantko concluded by talking directly to the Murray State student body.
“We’re here to serve you,” Yantko said. “We hope we’re a great resource for you. We hope we’re a great part of your experience and I hope we can continue to represent the institution in a great way. It’s a great time to be a Racer … We’re here for our students, and that’s what this is all about at the end of the day.”
