College Sports Information Directors of America

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Chuck Yahng – Maryville University, Assistant AD for Communications

CoSIDA 25-Year Award

After nearly 15 years of athletic communications work at Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Chuck Yahng arrived at Maryville University in October 2011.
 
As Assistant AD for Communications, he oversees the media operations for the Saints’ 24 sports in NCAA Division II and as a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
 
Very involved in media relations volunteer activities, Yahng has served as a media relations volunteer at the at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, at (former) U.S. Olympic Festivals and at pro golf championships. Within CoSIDA, he currently serves as a member of the Professional Development and Education Committee and is a frequent panelist and moderator for convention sessions and virtual webinars. He also is on the CoSIDA Division II leadership cabinet and the board for D2SIDA.
 
 
What contribution have you made to the college athletics communications profession that are most meaningful to you?
I feel like I have tried to represent the Asian-American segment of athletics. There still are not that many Asians in the world of college athletics so I’ve tried to be one of the leaders on that front.
 
If you could give advice to someone who wants a lasting career in athletic PR, like yours, what would it be?
To truly pace yourself on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Obviously we work some insane hours and the day-to-day grind really wears on everyone. To combat that, though, I think people need to take it easy and not burn themselves out. I tell people that the athletic calendar is a marathon. You have to pace yourself or you will not get to the finish line, which is the end of the sports year. Also, you need to love your job and the people with whom you work with on a regular basis.
 
As an ethnic minority who served his entire career in athletics, do you see positive movement as we look to diversify our profession in terms of ethnicity and gender? What next steps do you think we need to make in the DEI space and to attract more ethnically diverse leaders in college sports, particularly in athletic communications?
There is positive movement on nearly all fronts in terms of diversity. Many more women and minorities are becoming involved in athletic communications. I do worry a bit that some people get slotted into particular spaces and are not able to move beyond that position. For instance, women who are only allowed to work with women’s sports, or African-American’s who cannot move outside of an HBCU school. Plus, there are not nearly as many women and minorities outside of the Division I ranks, and that needs to be addressed, too. I think the biggest challenge is that the decision makers need to have an open mind about hiring someone who doesn’t look just like them or share the same experiences.
 
Name the biggest challenges facing athletic communicators today.
We talk about it all the time but having a seat at the table where the decision makers sit. During my years in the business, I have been fortunate to work with some outstanding athletic directors who listened to my opinions and what I thought about topics but I know many of us who do not enjoy that position of influence.
 
The best thing about our business is ....
Without a doubt, the people. No matter what level you are working at, there are amazing and talented people who are more than willing to assist or help you out. From Division I SIDs to NAIA SIDs, the people that I have had the chance to work with are truly special. In addition, being around coaches, ADs, athletic trainers, and especially student-athletes, is enjoyable.
 
What would you tell your younger self (your 20-something self) as it pertains to work and personal life?
Take the time for your family and for yourself. When I was just starting out, people told me that, and I tried to take it to heart. One of the great things about our profession is that it is not a 9-to-5 job, so I never felt bad about leaving the office to go watch my kids play in their little league or high school sports games.
 
For work on game days: do not to take things that coaches, staff and people say personally. I wasn’t aware of that dynamic until a few years working in the profession. Coaches tend to get high-strung up before, during and after games and potentially say things they normally might not and that it is not a personal attack on you.
 
Going back a little further in time … When you were a child, what did you want to do/be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a dentist. When I was younger, I didn’t have great experiences going to the dental office. I thought when I grew up, I could be a different type of dentist. A gentler, kinder more personable one!
 
Many in our organization cite lack of time to get involved in working with CoSIDA, serving on campus committees or regional/national committees, etc. What motivates you to serve and what's your message to others about making time to serve and the benefits of doing so?
When I was getting started, I wanted to get involved with CoSIDA committees to expand my network. Through my years in the business, committee work has become a way for me to help represent my schools, my conferences and my peers to help give them a voice. Sometimes, people grumble about the direction of CoSIDA but I will always challenge them to get involved, listen to peers, offer their opinions, and make a difference.
 
What difference, if any, has CoSIDA made in your career?
Without a doubt, CoSIDA has made a huge and positive impact in my career. Having worked in both Division I and Division II, I have had the great chance to meet fellow SIDs in those levels. However, through CoSIDA, it has helped me expand the group of people I know. In addition, I have made numerous professional and personal friendships in ways I could not have if I hadn’t been as active in CoSIDA. Attending conventions is one of the best ways to meet and connect with people outside of your bubble of conference schools.
 
From all your volunteering at Olympic events and pro golf events through the years, what are some of your favorite moments and experiences
The small and personal exchanges are what really stand out to me and how kind and generous nearly every athlete is. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, there was a boxer named Wolfgramm Paea. He was this mountain of a man who we in the media operations nicknamed “The Humonga from Tonga” - but he was so nice in dealing with us and the media. Team USA had a boxer named Antonio Tarver who let me put on his medal. At the U.S. Senior Golf Open, I got a one-on-one interview with legendary golfer Tom Watson. He is an immense figure in the world of golf but I had the chance to talk to him all by myself. Working at NCAA Final Fours, getting the chance to take a group photo at midcourt on the logo is a great memory I have as well.
 
Mentors - we all have them. Talk about some of your more significant ones, when you met them, how they helped you.
My biggest mentor is Doug McIlhagga, who hired me at Saint Louis University. I learned from Doug what it meant to be a true professional, what was hard work and to go over all the little details needed to be successful in the business. He told me to treat all teams, coaches, staff and student-athletes in the same professional matter, no matter what sport they were playing. In addition toy Doug, I had wonderful coworkers who helped teach me things. At SLU, I worked with Chris Cook, Diana Koval, Brian Kunderman and Mickey Smith; at Maryville, coworkers I learned from included Jim Powers and Mitchell Mai. They all had a positive impact on my career and I am grateful my path crossed with theirs.