MYAS

The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services, Inc. (MYAS) was organized in 1991 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the delivery of youth sports services to young athletes, coaches and parents. The MYAS is Minnesota's largest multi-sport organization focused solely on youth athletics with more than 150,000 kids participating in our programs in 2004. The MYAS is a central clearinghouse for youth sports, serving as an information channel linking hundreds of youth associations, coaches and thousands of parents.

OUR GOALS

To promote sportsmanship, teamwork and cultural interaction through sporting competition
To provide the highest quality athletic programs for Minnesota's young people
To link regional volunteer youth sports programs with others statewide

We believe that participation in athletics is one of the healthiest and most cost-effective options for helping young people make good choices about life's many decisions. Youth athletics, with its significant volunteer base, taps into the best that American culture has to offer. When conducted properly, athletics help young people:

set goals that are worthy of their time, energy and focus.
achieve a sense of accomplishment and self esteem and learn valuable leadership skills.
establish personal standards of excellence.
unite in group goals and common commitment.
build skills in empathy, humility, generosity and compassion.
learn life lessons both on and off the field of play.

OUR STAFF

Daniel Klinkhammer, Executive Director

Dan co-founded the MYAS in 1991 and currently serves as the Executive Director. He is a Vietnam veteran and a 1976 graduate of Winona State University. Dan's previous work experiences include a short stint as the Youth Director for the Winona Family YMCA; two years as Community Services Director for the City of Pipestone, MN; ten years as City Recreation Director for Winona, MN and two years as Program Director for the Minnesota Sports Federation. In addition to his playing days, he also gained 20 years of valuable experience as a football, basketball, baseball, volleyball and softball official. He credits much of his success to the fact that he has been an athlete, coach, official, administrator and parent. That combination allows him to personally identify with everyone who participates in the various programs offered by the MYAS. Dan and his wife Karla have two sons, Adam and Lance. When he isn't at his desk or at one of our events, you'll probably find him on the water fishing, in the woods chasing deer or looking for his golf balls.

Buddy Hemric, Associate Director

Buddy joined the MYAS in 1996 as the Associate Director after working in the aircraft industry for more than 19 years. At the present time he is in charge of the Basketball Official's Training programs, is co-director of the MYAS football program and is in charge of the technical side of MYAS operations.

Siri Forde, Office Manager

Siri joined the staff of the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services in January of 1991 at the invitation of current Executive Director, Dan Klinkhammer. She has previous experience in the health care field, having worked in nursing homes in Minnesota and Michigan. Siri began her college education in Traverse City, Michigan and later transferred to Concordia College, Moorhead, where she majored in English Writing and minored in Business Administration. While Siri has served in a number of capacities during her years at the MYAS, her current duties consist primarily of serving as office manager, assistant gambling manager and editor of the MYAS Update e-newsletter.

Joanne Powell, Receptionist

Joanne joined the MYAS in February of 1994 to help with the growing number of phone calls and influx of paperwork as the organization grew. She has been the MYAS receptionist/secretary/office mom during her tenure. Having a family of four very active children, she has been very involved in sports as both a parent and MYAS employee. She has seen the evolution of the MYAS from the days of the typewriter, answering machine and three employees to a staff of 15 and a full-service website. She has become the voice of the MYAS with her phone greeting of "Athletic Services".

Dara Northfield, Accountant/Human Resources Director

Dara has been with the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services since 1999. She received her education through Anoka Ramsey Community College and the University of Minnesota. She has enjoyed working with the dedicated staff of the MYAS to expand and expedite the many programs the MYAS offers. In her leisure time, Dara shares her time with her husband Mark and their three grown children.

Richard Penick, Senior Program Director

Rich is has been with the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services since 1995. Over the years, Rich has been a Program Coordinator, had a short stint as the company's accountant and is presently the Senior Program Director. He also served as the AAU's National Vice-Chair for their junior golf program for seven years. He has seen astonishing growth in all MYAS programs. As an example, basketball has grown from less than a hundred teams to well over a thousand. Rich is a 1981 graduate of Duluth East High School where he was a three-sport letter winner in football, baseball and hockey. He was named Outstanding Senior Male Athlete and was a 2nd team All-State selection in football and hockey. He played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he graduated with a double major in Health and Physical Education with a coaching minor. Rich was a member of the 1983-84 NAIA National Hockey Championship team and finished his playing career as the leading scorer in Blue-Gold history. He has been heavily involved with coaching various youth and high school sports since 1986. Rich and his wife, Mary, have two sons. Rich says, "Life revolved around our children's sports schedules, but I wouldn't change any of it as we were able to share some great times with them. While those days were filled with great memories, it sure is nice that they are both done playing and we're not running 24/7 to all their games and practices."

Eric Rathke, Program Director

Eric has been with MYAS since 1997 and is currently charged with developing the youth football program. He implements and coordinates one of the country's largest youth travelling basketball tournaments, the MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships. He is also an MYAS assistant gambling manager. Eric states that one of the strengths of the MYAS team is that they assist each other with their programs to make them the best. As an example, he helps with baseball and other basketball operations in addition to his own programs. He brings a love for all sports and a desire to provide them to youth athletes across Minnesota. Eric graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Concordia University, St. Paul, where he was a four-year starter on the football team. Eric and his wife Erin love being parents to their young son Maddox, whom they adopted from Guatemala.

Kevin Wilson, Basketball Program Director

Kevin is a native of Cedar Rapids, IA, where he graduated from Washington Senior High School. He received a full athletic scholarship to play basketball for the University of North Dakota. He had a very successful career at UND, receiving the Freshman of the Year award and a varsity letter his junior year. During his college summer months, Kevin coached basketball and worked local high school basketball camps in North Dakota. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation with an emphasis in Leadership. After college, Kevin moved to the Twin Cites area and worked for six years as a Manager for U.S. Swim and Fitness. He moved on to work for the Minneapolis nonprofit YouthCARE (Youth for Culture Appreciation and Racial Equality) for five years as the Urban Program Director, planning and developing recreation programs, leadership and educational activities, sports and special events. He also planned and led diversity workshops, leadership conferences and retreats. Kevin continues to be very active in sports and also spends a lot of time training his young son, who plays basketball for the Osseo Maple Grove Basketball Association.

Dawson Blanck, Senior Baseball Director

Dawson has been with the MYAS since 1999 and currently serves as Senior Baseball Director and Gopher State Baseball League Commissioner. He has also held the position as Minnesota USSSA State Baseball Director since March of 2006 and is a founding member of Play Ball! MN through the Minnesota Twins Community Fund. During his tenure at the MYAS, he has helped create a year-round comprehensive baseball program which includes the Gopher State Baseball League (GSBL) and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions. The GSBL has grown by nearly 400% and the Gopher State Fall Baseball League has seen an increase of nearly 3,000 participants. Blanck graduated from Concordia University, St Paul in 1999 with degrees in Kinesiology and Communications. During his time at CSP, he was an all-conference wide receiver/punt returner, twice earning All-UMAC honors and was named team captain by his peers for the 1998 season. Dawson was also an All-Region NJCAA tennis player at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN. Over the past ten years, Dawson has also coached high school football at Park Center, St. Agnes and now St. Bernard's. He is currently in his third year as Offensive Coordinator for the Bulldogs. He has also officiated high school varsity basketball for Suburban Officials Association for seven years. Away from the MYAS and his other activities, you can find Dawson enjoying time with his wife, Lori, son Landon and daughter Kylin as well as participating in as many sporting functions and events as time permits.

Jeremy Innes, Basketball & Wrestling Program Director

Jeremy joined the MYAS staff in February of 2002 after fellow Brainerd alum and current MYAS employee Dawson Blanck informed him of a job opening. Jeremy's primary duties at the MYAS have been focused primarily on the wrestling and basketball programs. He is a graduate of Brainerd High School and went on to earn his A.A. degree from Central Lakes Community College. He continued his studies at Minnesota State University, Moorhead where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health. Prior to joining the MYAS staff, Jeremy completed his internship at the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department where he began working as a seasonal employee when he was 12 years old. When Jeremy is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jessica and daughter Ellie.

Tony Groff, Associate Baseball Director

Tony started at the MYAS in November of 2004 in the new position of Special Events Director. He is an Area Director for USSSA Baseball and is also a founding member for PlayBall! MN through the Minnesota Twins Community Fund. In the summer of 2005, he was promoted to his current position at the MYAS, Associate Baseball Director. Tony began his professional career in the golf industry and has an educational background in Business Administration. Away from work you can find him spending time with his family, golfing and getting out on the lakes to fish.

Jessica Christopherson, Volleyball, Swimming & Girls' Basketball Director

Jessica started at the MYAS in January of 2005. She currently serves as the Girls' Basketball Director, Volleyball Director and Director of the Midwest Regional Swim Meet. She also assists with golf and hockey events and is the Assistant National Chairperson for USSSA Volleyball. Jessica grew up in Coon Rapids and played several different sports as a kid. She went on to play soccer, hockey and softball in high school, earning several All-Conference, All-State and MVP honors. She also won the Athena Award as a senior at CRHS. Jessica attributes her success to her athletic siblings and some very intense battles in the Christopherson yard/driveway. She continued her education at the University of St. Thomas and graduated in 2004 with a B.A. in Sociology. Jessica was All-MIAC, All-Region, captain and MVP as a goalie on the soccer team that made two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight round in 2002. She was also an All-MIAC hockey player for the Tommies and is now in her third season as an assistant coach. When she is not at the office or the arena, Jess likes to travel and play golf.

Jeremy Barbe, Director of Umpires and Special Events

Jeremy joined the MYAS staff in the spring of 2006 following a five-year career as a professional umpire in Minor League Baseball. In 2005 he retired from professional baseball and settled down to be a husband and father. Jeremy graduated from Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, MO) in 2001 with a degree in Church Recreation. He began his baseball umpiring career in 1989 and to this day continues umpiring Division II and III college baseball and the American Association (St. Paul Saints). Jeremy has a real passion for teaching and instructing baseball umpires and has taken it to a new level as the chief instructor for the MYAS Gopher State Umpire Clinics and Elite Umpire Camp. He has also officiated college and high school basketball since 1995 and high school football since 2001. When Jeremy is not at work or on the court/field he enjoys playing golf and disc golf and being on the lake.

Dan Craighead, Marketing Director

Dan joined the MYAS in September of 2006. He is responsible for selling and servicing corporate sponsorships and donations. Dan was a member of the Minnesota Twins ticket sales staff from 1999-2006 where he was a leader in generating group ticket sales. Prior to his position with the Twins, he held sales positions with the Minnesota Vikings and Valleyfair. In 1993 he was the third person hired by the St. Paul Saints and worked there for four seasons as Director of Advertising Sales. Dan graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a Bachelor's Degree in Operations Management. Dan, his wife Cindy, and their children Ben and Sarah reside in Eagan. Golf and rock-n-roll music are two of his main interests.

Debbie Dahl, Gambling Manager

Debbie has been involved in charitable gaming for 22 years. She began working for MYAS in 2004 as a site manager, moved up to assistant gambling manager in 2007, and became gambling manager in June 2009. Debbie enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls, Ashley and Amanda.