Athletics: Louisiana Names Nico Yantko Deputy AD for External Operations

Murray State graduate spent past six years at Missouri

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Director of Athletics Bryan Maggard announced on Tuesday the appointment of Nico Yantko (pronounced Nick-o Yank-o) as Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations.
 
The hiring of Yantko, a graduate of Murray State University and a native of Fairborn, Ohio, is subject to approval from the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors.
 
Yantko spent the past six years on the staff at the University of Missouri, where he began as the Tigers’ Assistant Director of Development. He served for two years as Director of Development – Capital Campaigns & Major Gifts before being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts in 2015.
 
He was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Development in 2016 and played a part in two of the largest years in major gift productivity in Mizzou Athletics history – $45.7 million in 2013 and $42.6 million in 2017.
 
"We are excited about bringing in Nico as Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations," Maggard said. "Having the opportunity to work with him for the past six years, Nico brings a broad base of expertise and energy to intercollegiate athletics and I look forward to having him become part of the Ragin’ Cajun family." 
 
Yantko helped prepare strategies that increased major gifts by 34 percent since 2012 and helped coordinate a campaign strategy and funding model for a $100 million Mizzou Football South End Zone Facility.
 
He worked in external relations for the athletic department, working with the Director of Athletics in coordinating the Mizzou Athletics Statewide Outreach program, which visited all 114 Missouri counties and strengthened relationships with Mizzou constituents. Yantko also assisted in the creation of consistent external messaging as the school transitioned from the Big 12 Conference to the Southeastern Conference.
 
From 2010-11, Yantko served in a variety of roles at North Carolina State University including marketing and promotions, strategic branding, ticket sales and the Wolfpack Club.
 
At Murray State, Yantko was a three-year football letterwinner at quarterback from 2007-09 and served as a member of the MSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Murray State in Business and Integrated Studies in 2009 before earning a Master’s degree in Human Development and Leadership, Public Administration in 2011.