It's the end of an era at Clarkson University. After 35 years as a dedicated employee of the Clarkson Athletic and Recreation Department, Athletic Director Steve Yianoukos '72 is retiring. Yianoukos, who started working in the department in 1984, was named Clarkson University's Director of Athletics in August 2005. The Potsdam, NY native became the University's eighth athletic director and has been actively involved with Clarkson's Department of Physical Education, Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation since his undergraduate days at the University in the early 1970s. Prior to taking the helm in 2005, Steve served as the Associate Director of Athletics and before that was the executive officer of Physical Education/Recreation at the University from 1984 to 1997.
"I was fortunate to have been able to work under President Collins' leadership as well as with outstanding coaches, administrators, staff and, of course, student-athletes during my career, and for that I am eternally grateful, " stated Yianoukos.
During his tenure the department has seen unprecedented growth. Most notably he has overseen the rise in women's sports with three National Championships from Women's Hockey, Four Elite 8 appearances in Women's Volleyball, and he was instrumental in adding softball to the list of varsity athletic offerings at the University.
Under his direction the Athletic Department has had 26 NCAA Tournament Appearances, hosted five NCAA Volleyball Regional Tournaments and four NCAA Women's Hockey Tournament games, and the teams have won five USCSA Championships for Nordic and Alpine Skiing. Since 2005 the men's and women's hockey program have earned five regular-season ECAC Championships and four ECAC Tournament Championships. Over the past fifteen years both the Division I and the Division III programs have produced 34 different student-athletes achieving All-American status, some with multiple honors. Jamie Lee Rattray '14 won the Patty Kazmaier Award for Women's Hockey in 2013-2014 and John Coleman was chosen as a 2016 Today's Top 10 Award Winner by the NCAA among 530,000 student-athletes for both his academic and athletic accomplishments in baseball and basketball.
Throughout his career as Director, Steve has continually looked at ways to enhance the overall student-athlete experience. He has been an advocate for the #LetsCUGive campaign, which has raised over $400,000 in the past three years and has helped to cultivate a culture of giving among not only alumni but current students, staff and community members. Steve has also been instrumental in getting the Cheel Renovation project off the ground, which is set for completion in Fall of 2019.
Please join the Clarkson community in celebrating and recognizing Steve's accomplishments and dedicated service to Clarkson University. We wish Steve the best in his retirement.
If you wish to make a gift in honor of Steve and his years of service at Clarkson, please click here.
