Kuykendall graduated from the University of Minnesota and has worked in the financial services industry for 24 years. He currently serves as Associate Vice President, Twin Cities Advisor Development for North Star Resource Group in Minneapolis. Kuykendall has been extremely active in Minnesota youth sports for 30 years, volunteering as both a youth coach and youth sports administrator. He served as the president of St. Anthony Youth Basketball Association for over a decade and also as the president of the St. Anthony Sports Boosters. Kuykendall resides in St. Anthony with his wife and three children, Mason, Makaela and Tommy.
Dan Klinkhammer co-founded the MYAS in 1991 and he served as the Executive Director from 1994 to 2019. Dan’s previous work experience includes: Youth Director for the Winona YMCA; Community Services Director for the City of Pipestone, MN; City Recreation Director for Winona, MN; and Program Director for the Minnesota Sports Federation. Over the past 28 years, his leadership has transformed the MYAS from a fledgling 3-person operation into the largest statewide youth sports organization in the nation with over 150,000 participants annually. In 2013, he created the Wisconsin Sports Services and in 2015, he was the visionary behind the creation of Trusted Coaches. In 2017, Dan began the process of creating Trusted Officials. His focus has always been to conduct a variety of quality sporting events for Minnesota and Wisconsin youth sport participants AND to provide educational and administrative services to the thousands of parent volunteer organizations that we serve. He has always attributed his success and understanding of youth sports to the fact that he was an athlete, a coach, a parent, an official, and a program administrator. He also recognizes the fact that he was blessed to be surrounded by a very talented and dedicated staff along with an unselfish and like-minded Board of Directors. Dan retired in the spring of 2019 but continues to serve as a volunteer on the MYAS Board of Directors. When not volunteering his time for some worthy cause, he spends his days chasing turkeys, deer, walleyes and golf balls!
Andrea Murphy graduated from St Olaf College and is currently Vice President of Commercial Loans for Northeast Bank. She has worked for Northeast Bank for 21years. For many of those 21years she has been blessed to work alongside MYAS, and now has children participating in MYAS’ basketball programs. ‘I truly believe quality programs build strong communities, and this is what MYAS has strived to do from the beginning. I understand the value my sports career brought to my life path and overall well-being, and want to see all kids have access to these opportunities.’ Murphy is a Board Member and Treasurer of Rise Inc. and serves on the Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries development committee, WomenVenture loan committee, and ISD 13 finance advisory committee. She was honored in 2018 as a Top Woman in Finance by Finance and Commerce Magazine, and in 2021 as a Notable Woman in Commercial Banking by TC Business Magazine. She also assistant coaches her twins in various basketball and fastpitch softball programs.
Dawson has been with the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services since 1999 and was promoted to Executive Director on April 1, 2019. From 1999-2015, he held the position of MYAS/Gopher State Senior Baseball Director and Commissioner of the Gopher State Baseball League, a traveling baseball program for 9-19 year olds. He also held the position of Minnesota USSSA State Baseball Director from 2006-2016 and is a founding member of Play Ball! MN through the Minnesota Twins Community Fund. During his tenure at the MYAS, he created a year-round comprehensive baseball program which includes the Gopher State Baseball League (GSBL) and the Gopher State Tournament of Champions. In 2015, he became Executive Director of Trusted Coaches and launched the online risk management and coach development solution for youth sports organizations. Under his direction, over 300 organizations joined the mission of Trusted Coaches. Dawson is a 1999 graduate of Concordia University, St. Paul. He played collegiate tennis and football at Central Lakes College and Concordia University. Dawson also coached high school varsity football from 1999-2009 and 2011-2017. He has also been a registered official with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) since 2001 and is a proud member of Gopher State Officials Association. He was nominated to officiate the MSHSL State Basketball Tournament from 2011-2013 and 2017-2020, including the honor or officiating in the Class AAA State Championship game in 2019. Officiating has always been a passion and he is committed to recruiting, educating and retaining the next generation of youth and high school officials. He has also been a head coach and assistant coach for his son, daughter and step-son in basketball, baseball and soccer over the past ten years. He is currently volunteering as the Irondale 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach and is also a proud member of the Reigning Grace Worship Team and Church Council at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Mounds View, MN. Away from the MYAS and his other activities, you can find Dawson enjoying time with his wife Michelle, son Landon, daughter Kylin, step-son Connor, step-daughter Anna, family and friends, as well as participating in as many sporting functions and events as time permits.
Dennis Blue is a resident of Woodbury Minnesota. He has extensive experience in the field of finance, administration, sales, and marketing. Mr. Blue currently retired from the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline where he served as a Senior Executive Sales Representative for 24 years. Mr. Blue also been actively involved as a volunteer in youth sports for over 20 years. He has coached basketball and baseball to inner city youth within the Twin Cities. He is currently the director of youth travel basketball at The Sanneh Foundation. Mr. Blue is a graduate of the University of Findlay in Findlay Ohio. He received a B.S. degree in accounting. He was a member of the of the track and football team. He is looking forward to serving as a board member for the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services. Community Involvement – Current: • Member of Sanneh Foundation Advisory Council • Hazel Park Preparatory Basketball Coach – 2019 • Member of Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Advisory Board • Volunteer Director of Youth Travel Basketball, Sanneh Foundation • Conway Central Area Youth Travel Basketball Coach • Director of Stair Step Foundation Church Olympics Basketball Tournament • Chairperson of Par Seekers Golf Tournament Planning Committee • Member of Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Board of Directors Prior: • Minnesota Spartans AAU youth basketball coach • Assistant Baseball youth Coach Midway Baseball League • Oxford Recreation Center T Ball Coach • Oxford Recreation Center Mighty Mite Basketball coach • Jimmy Lee Recreation Center youth Travel Basketball Coach
Eric’s invaluable expertise and broad business range have powered a history of developing successful process improvements that drive productivity, reliability, and client satisfaction. Such traits have consistently enabled Eric to achieve an impressive command of the skills needed to manage ongoing business planning processes while developing strategies to meet future challenges. Upon being named as Senior Director of Season Ticket Service and Retention for Major League Baseball / Minnesota Twins, Eric fulfills a critical role driving revenue for the organization, exercising responsibility for all facets of season ticket sales, promotions, and customer service. Mr. Hudson has dedicated himself and his vision as a leader who engages in projects with an “All-In” attitude. With a forte for successfully building strong teams and holding a key role leading all facets of finance and strategy, Mr. Hudson has successfully positioned The Minnesota Twins as a leading expert in its field with respect to the application of best business and finance practices contributing to the following successes: ● Fostered strong relationships with new and existing customers to boost season ticket sales and drive the evolution of a pipeline of referrals. ● Led the development of a priority and inventory management plan for season tickets and the All Star Game. ● Directed the online marketing of season ticket plans and programs, including a new process that empowered season ticket holders to upgrade and relocate seats online. Prior to assuming the role of Senior Director of Season Ticket Service and Service at Major League Baseball / Minnesota Twins, Eric achieved over two decades of experience driving positive outcomes across Sales Leadership, Marketing Expertise, Contract Negotiation, Client Relationship Management, Athletic Event Sales, Sales Presentations, And Lead Generation in multiple roles with Major League Baseball / Minnesota Twins, Midwest National Funding Group, and KFAN Sports Radio. Combining his proven business instinct with an unprecedented disciplinary work ethic, Eric has continuously exceeded expectations in high stake environments within Major League Baseball / Minnesota Twins, Midwest National Funding Group, and KFAN Sports Radio positioning himself as a key member of each company and a driving force for growth. Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from University Of Minnesota.
Dara began her professional career as a Realtor. Soon after she went into partnership in private industry and returned to school to acquire her accounting degree. Dara was hired as the MYAS accountant in 1998. Dara officially joined the MYAS Board of Directors as the Chief Financial Officer in 2014.Dara has participated in all aspects of the MYAS daily operations including working at seeding meetings and being a tournament director. Understanding the inner workings of entire organization allows Dara to have a detailed understanding of the MYAS mission and function. Dara has raised 3 children in athletics and her husband is a High School Basketball Official. Athletics are a large contributor to her children’s personal success, so Dara is excited to pay it forward by sitting on the MYAS board of directors.
Dr. Craig Perry—athlete, coach, educator, and athletic administrator—simply—a life immersed in athletics, education, sports administration, and leadership. Now in his third year as a Vice President with the U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health his mission and that of USCAH is dedicated and committed to ensuring participation at all levels is as safe and healthy as possible. Prior to joining USCAH, Craig served 15 years as an Associate Director with the Minnesota State High School League. With the League he was responsible for all MSHSL eligibility and compliance for the 500+ member schools of the League and the MSHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. Additionally, he was responsible for the administration of Girls and Boys Tennis, Wrestling, and Girls and Boys Hockey—also serving as the MSHSL State Tournament Director for those sports. Before joining the League, Perry was the Director of Athletics for Grand Forks Public Schools. In that position he was responsible for the athletics programs at two high schools, four middle schools, and twelve elementary schools and oversaw approximately 225 coaches. A former high school English teacher and hockey and track coach and he was also a NCAA Division I hockey coach and college instructor at the University of North Dakota. A nationally recognized educator, speaker, and leader Dr. Perry served a number of roles with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA): a national Board of Directors member, a member of the NIAAA Publications Committee for 18 years, and he is currently in his 25th year with the NIAAA Leadership Training Institute as a national faculty member creating, contributing, instructing, and developing transformational leadership driven curriculum. He also has served in multiple leadership roles at the state, regional, and national levels of interscholastic athletic administration Craig and his wife, Holly, have three children: Chase (26), Chloe (25, and youngest daughter Charley (20)
Jennifer Phillips Minneapolis, Minnesota Native of Minneapolis, MN. Founder and Director, MLK MPLS Travel Basketball. In that role, responsibilities include, are not limited to: fundraising; developing, producing and disseminating marketing materials; conducting community outreach efforts to attract players and acquire volunteer coaches; coordinating communications to volunteers, players, families, Minneapolis Park and Recreation partners and potential donors; managing program budget and expenses; and coordinating all program scheduling for tournaments, practices, trainings, clinics, etc. 20 years basketball coaching experience in Minneapolis at the elementary, middle school, high school, travel, AAU and currently at the collegiate level. Co-creator of the ML King Park Fundamental Youth Basketball Development Program in South Minneapolis. Education and Professional Expertise: Graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Business Administration, concentration in Marketing and Communications. Professional career includes: Special Events Coordinator, Dayton’s Corporate Offices; Executive Development Director, A Chance to Grow, a Minneapolis school and health services for children with physical and learning disabilities; Development Director, Voices for Illinois Children, a statewide Public Policy and Advocacy non profit organization; Training Team Merchandising Specialist, Target Corporate Offices. Community Service Awards and Recognitions: MYAS “30 for 30” Impact Award recipient (2022) Minneapolis Park and Recreation Volunteer for the Year Award recipient (2003, 2008) Volunteer General Council Member Leadership Award recipient (2000 – 2002) Personal Notes: Previously served or currently serving on the following boards in various capacities - PACER; Minneapolis Youth Sports Association; and Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance.
Tess Rice is a banking lawyer who serves as general counsel and director of government relations for the Minnesota Bankers Association. She lives in Orono with her retired husband and her 14-year-old daughter. Her oldest daughter has graduated from the U of MN and is pursuing a master’s degree in Israel and her son is a senior at Minnesota State University. Tess is a big college basketball fan and also loves the Green Bay Packers (sorry).