Related Content
•
CSC Leadership Directory
Yaman is a 23-year veteran in college athletics administration and sports communications who most recently served as associate commissioner of The Southern Conference. He becomes the fourth executive director in the organization’s history.
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.
“As part of our ongoing mission to position our organization and our members for continued success within intercollegiate athletics, we are excited to introduce Jason Yaman as the next executive director of College Sports Communicators,” said Trainor, who chaired the selection committee. “As our members get to know more about Jason, they will see the same passion and commitment to our profession that was abundantly clear to our selection committee. His extensive background in sports communications, sponsorships, constituent and affiliated organization relations has equipped Jason with a breadth of experience that will be invaluable to CSC and further enhance our efforts to serve the membership of our organization.”
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.
Jason Yaman (left) with SoCon colleague and CSC member Ralan Wardlaw at a 2023 NCAA women's basketball regional.
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.
“I am honored and humbled to join College Sports Communicators as executive director,” Yaman said. “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.”
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.
“There is little doubt that Jason’s enthusiasm and passion for the profession, and for this particular opportunity will quickly resonate with our members,” said
Mary Beth Challoner, CSC first vice president, selection committee member and University of Toronto Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & High Performance Sport. “From his first days as a graduate student at the University of Michigan when he was learning the ropes, through his time at the SoCon, CSC has been a part of his growth and development. Jason understands and has firsthand knowledge of how impactful our association can be for its members.”
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.
“As this process has come to a conclusion, I want to thank the members of our selection committee who dedicated their time and efforts to this important search,” said Trainor. “These men and women represented the entire membership of CSC and worked tirelessly to identify our next executive director.
“I also want to thank the CSC staff for their tremendous work throughout this transition. Under the leadership of interim executive director Will Roleson, the CSC staff helped propel our organization forward. On behalf of the entire organization, I want to thank Will Roleson, Barb Kowal, Beau White and Alivia Dieterlen for their extraordinary work.”
About College Sports Communicators
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. CSC provides year-round leadership, community, professional development/education, recognition and advocacy for its 4,500 members. Founded in 1957 as the College Sports Information Directors of America, the organization rebranded in 2022 to position itself as a more inclusive organization for communicators in all types of roles and to lead an industry change where strategic and creative professionals are more aligned. CSC’s signature work includes the annual CSC Unite convention each June and the administration of the prestigious Academic All-America® program and Hall of Fame. Since 1952, more than 42,000 of the world’s most elite student-athletes have been recognized with Academic All-America status in all sports.