Pikeville, Ky - UPIKE Athletics is excited to welcome Bradlee Yoder back to the department in the newly established Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director position.
Yoder will play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of the athletic department, working with Director of Athletics Kelly Wells and the entire coaching staff. The duties in this position will include directing travel, managing the budget and financial paperwork, handling meeting requests, organizing events, assisting with contracts, and more.
Yoder, who hails from Apple Creek, Ohio, brings to the department an in-depth understanding of all facets within athletics. His foray into college athletics happened right here at UPIKE, serving as a student assistant coach for the men's basketball team led by Kelly Wells. After graduating from UPIKE in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science, Yoder served as a graduate assistant coach for the program, handling travel, fundraising, budgeting, and several other aspects of the program.
In 2016, Yoder moved on to NAIA Bethany College in Kansas where he grew his skillset as an Assistant Coach for the men's basketball program. While at Bethany, Yoder became familiar with handling budgets and academic information.
Yoder then received a position at NCAA DI Nicholls State in 2018 where he served as the Director of Operations for the men's basketball program. Yoder helped coach an Academic All-American and NCAA free throw percentage leader Gavin Peppers. In this role, he was also responsible for managing travel, budgeting, and community service.
Displaying his ability to adapt and diverse skillset, Yoder was hired as Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications in 2020 at Bethany College, while serving as the Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach. In this administrative role, Yoder coordinated the publication efforts of the department by writing press releases, promotional material, providing live statistics, and coordinating live streaming.
Wells, who is entering his fourth year as Director of Athletics in 2022-23, is thrilled to add Yoder to the department.
"Having someone in this department who understands all aspects of a collegiate athletics department is exciting. We established this position to assist our coaches, staff, and student-athletes in a multitude of areas, and to strengthen our administrative operations and communications with the university. I have had the pleasure of working with Bradlee in his time as a student, gaining an appreciation for his strong character and work ethic. Yoder will be an excellent front porch to our department, and I am thrilled to welcome him back to UPIKE," said Wells.
