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College Sports Communicators names Jason Yaman as new executive director (2/26/2025)
“I am honored and humbled to join College Sports Communicators as executive director. The work of this organization is vital in shaping the future of college athletics, and I am eager to collaborate with the membership, the executive board and CSC staff to continue delivering excellence in sports communication. I’d like to thank President Kevin Trainor and the entire search committee for this opportunity and am excited to get to work.” - Jason Yaman
Jason Yaman (YAY-man), a 23-year veteran within college athletics and sports communications, has been named the next executive director of College Sports Communicators (CSC). Yaman has a diverse background in Division I and Division II institutional and conference administration, including extensive experience in growing partnerships and revenue.
In his role with CSC, Yaman will lead CSC’s strategic partnerships, oversee CSC’s many programs and initiatives, and direct the daily operations of the 4,500-plus member association. Founded in 1957 and formerly known as CoSIDA, College Sports Communicators is the premier membership association for all strategic, creative and digital communications professionals working in intercollegiate athletics across all levels for colleges, universities and conferences across the United States and Canada.
The announcement was made by 2024-25 CSC President Kevin Trainor, University of Arkansas senior associate AD for public relations and former student-athlete engagement. Yaman will assume his leadership role with CSC on March 10.
Yaman most recently served as associate commissioner for The Southern Conference. An Ann Arbor, Michigan native, Yaman joined The Southern Conference as director of media relations in 2008 and was promoted to assistant commissioner in 2009 and associate commissioner in 2014.
After handling the media relations efforts for the conference office for nine years, Yaman transitioned over to marketing and corporate sales during the summer of 2017.
During his time with the SoCon, Yaman was responsible for the overall revenue generation of the conference where he delivered the highest total marketing revenue in over 15 years. He successfully sold the title sponsorship to the Southern Conference’s basketball tournament, increased the overall marketing revenue by 68 percent over three years, and increased cash sponsorship by 62 percent over the same time period. He expanded the conference’s national television packages with ESPN and CBS Sports Network by increasing the number of games aired on national linear television and established a regional broadcast package with the Nexstar Media Group.
Yaman negotiated a website agreement with a new provider, integrating cutting-edge analytics, artificial intelligence and revenue opportunities into the new site which launched in the summer of 2024. He also managed conference relationships with coaches groups and administrators across the conference.
Yaman becomes the organization’s fourth executive director and succeeds Erik Christianson who served in the position from May 2022 until August 2024. John Humenik was the first executive director from February 2008 through June 2013, followed by Doug Vance who served from October 2013 until his retirement in July 2022.
Prior to his tenure at the Southern Conference, Yaman held multiple positions in sports information, marketing, and media relations on NCAA Division I and II campuses.
He spent two years from August 2006 to August 2008 as the primary media contact and spokesman for the nationally-recognized University of Maryland men’s basketball program.
Prior to his time at Maryland he spent three seasons as the lead communications contact for the Indiana State University men’s basketball program from 2003-2006. From 2001-2003 he was the director of sports information and marketing at Saginaw Valley State University.
Yaman completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University in 1997 with a degree in sports communications/broadcast, and obtained a masters degree from the University of Michigan in December 2000 where he studied kinesiology with a concentration in sports management/administration while serving as a graduate student intern in the athletics department. He also earned a masters of business administration in 2011 from the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business. Yaman participated in the NCAA's Pathway Program during the 2016-17 academic year.