Tim Yourison is in his second year with Bearcat Athletics, where he serves as Deputy Athletic Director with a focus on external relations. In this role, he leads major gifts, annual fundraising, corporate sponsorships and name, image and likeness (NIL) initiatives.
Since arriving in Maryville, Yourison has made an immediate impact by launching several key fundraising efforts, including the Bearcats Bleed Green Fund, the Bearcat Athletic Scholarship Fund, and the annual Bleed Green Athletic Day of Giving. He also revitalized the department’s sponsorship program. His leadership has helped generate over $1 million in support of Bearcat Athletics, benefiting all sports programs, enhancing facilities like Bearcat Stadium, and strengthening connections among coaches, alumni, fans, and donors.
Before joining Northwest, Yourison served as Director of Development for Intercollegiate Athletics at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. There, he played a pivotal role in fundraising operations, donor and partner management, and corporate sponsorship development. He also founded the Pirate Athletic Association and contributed to a $150 million comprehensive campaign.
Yourison brings more than 20 years of experience in collegiate athletics, including 16 seasons as a football coach before transitioning into athletic administration and fundraising. His coaching career included stops at Luther College, Hamline University, Aurora University, Austin College, Western Illinois University, and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.
At the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse Foundation, he served as Athletic Gift Officer, overseeing fundraising for all 21 varsity programs. During his tenure, he significantly increased donor engagement, tripled participation at the highest giving level, and boosted overall financial support for athletics.
A former Division III student-athlete, Yourison played football at Luther College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education and exercise science in 2006. He later received a master’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Western Illinois University in 2008.
