YSU Athletics Department Announces Promotions, Restructuring

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Ron Strollo, Youngstown State University executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics, announced several internal promotions after a department restructuring in oversight and responsibilities.

Strollo highlighted the importance of the enhanced duties to the athletics department as the spring semester began Monday at YSU.

“The focus of the athletic department is to provide our student-athletes with an environment to succeed in both the classroom and their respective athletic venues,” Strollo said. “These staff members have shown a commitment to excellence, providing unyielding support, fresh initiatives, forward-thinking collaborations and hard-working dedication to the YSU staff and student-athletes. I am excited about the growth and future of these staff members and our department.”

Rebecca Fink will serve as senior associate athletic director for internal operations and senior women’s administrator. Fink will maintain broad oversight over NCAA compliance, student-athlete conduct, academic services and various student-athlete experience initiatives. 

Fink will manage the sport supervision team, as well as provide direct sport supervision for women’s basketball and soccer.

Jen Tymkew will serve as senior associate athletic director for integrated health care and performance. Tymkew will maintain broad oversight over sports medicine, sports performance, performance nutrition and sports science. She will provide direct sport supervision for volleyball and lacrosse. 

Tymkew’s position also represents a partnership between the athletics department and the office of the dean of students. Through this relationship, she will share collaborative oversight over student-athlete mental health and wellness initiatives.

Tim Stuart will serve as senior associate athletic director for external operations. Stuart will maintain broad oversight over facilities management, business operations, ticket and game management, sales, development and marketing. He will provide direct sport supervision for men’s and women’s tennis.

Kiersten Klekner-Alt will serve as associate athletic director and director of compliance. She will now direct and monitor day-to-day NCAA compliance efforts and initiatives and will continue to oversee student-athlete programming. She will continue to provide direct sport supervision of men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

Tyler Mettille will serve as assistant athletic director. While maintaining his responsibilities in the compliance department, Mettille will also provide direct sport supervision for men’s and women’s cross country and track and field.

Pictured at top: The Watson and Tressel Training Site at YSU. (ysusports.com)

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.