In this episode, Chuck Yrigoyen discusses his experiences within the Ivy League and how those compare with the world of NCAA Division III. He also talks about the current state of small college athletics and his philosophy of being a “catalyst leader.”
Chuck Yrigoyen (pronounced YOUR-again) assumed his duties as the second full-time Commissioner of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on October 1, 2008.
As Commissioner, he serves as the chief operating officer and works directly with the Presidents, Faculty Representatives and Directors of Athletics to administer the affairs of the Conference.
He is responsible for promoting and upholding the mission of the IIAC and its constitution; coordinates and oversees the development of all Conference schedules and tournaments; oversees the planning and conduct of all Conference tournaments, championships and special events.
Prior to joining the Iowa Conference, Yrigoyen spent 19 years at the Ivy League, including the final 10 as Associate Director for Athletic Administration and Championships. Hired in 1989 as Assistant Director for Public Information, Yrigoyen stepped into a newly created position overseeing the expansion of the office’s public information function; in particular, focusing on the League’s weekly press releases and publications. Yrigoyen subsequently developed the League’s first website and oversaw technical and logistical arrangements for the League’s football and basketball telecasts.
In 1998, Yrigoyen was promoted to Associate Director. Beginning in 2000, he relinquished his public information duties, and took primary responsibility for the League’s nine championship events and as-needed playoffs for NCAA bids, oversight of officiating in 10 sports, contest scheduling coordination, competition issues and television logistics.
Yrigoyen began his athletic administration career as an intern at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. In 1983, he was appointed to an internship in the athletic communications office at Princeton University. After two years in that position, Yrigoyen was elevated to Director of Athletic Communications at Princeton, overseeing all publicity for the school’s 37-sport varsity athletic program. He also did extensive radio and television commentary for Princeton basketball and football broadcasts.
[Courtesy: Iowa Conference]
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