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Know Your Neighbor: Kim Duyst
Know Your Neighbor Duyst
Kim Duyst is serving as the Interim Director of Athletics at Stanislaus State. - photo by Photo Contributed

Currently, Kim Duyst is serving as the Interim Director of Athletics (since July 6) at Stanislaus State, following a promotion to Senior Associate Athletics Director in January. In her current role as the Interim Director of Athletics, Duyst manages the entire operation of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.  Duyst oversees compliance, athletic academic advising, facilities and game operations, media relations, Student-Athlete Advisory committee, student-athlete leadership, career and life skills and supervises the coaches of sport teams.  At the university level, Duyst monitors compliance with the CSU gender-equity policy and serves as a Title IX Coordinator and is a member of the Campus Clergy and Safe Campus Committees.

In January 2016, Duyst was appointed to NCAA Management Council, representing the West region and re-appointed to NCAA Championships Committee. As a coach, Duyst is a member of the USTFCCA Hall of Fame and the California State University Athletics Hall of Fame.  She coached 82 NCAA All Americans and 9 National Champions, received coach of the year honors six times and served as President of the NCAA Division II Track & Field Coaches Association.  Nearly every men’s and women’s school records were broken during her tenure.  She was also appointed to numerous USA Cross Country and Track & Field coaching staffs traveling to Paris, Morocco, Kenya, Turkey, Canada and Mexico.

Duyst and her husband Mark reside in Turlock and have two children, Brooke (23) and Conner (19).

Q. What are some of your goals as Interim Director of Athletics at Stanislaus State?

A. Stanislaus State is a great university, and I want to continue working with our staff and the campus community to promote an environment for excellence in academics, continue to increase our graduation rate (which is 67 percent) and produce competitive athletic teams — teams that participate in post season and win championships. It’s also important for our student-athletes to have a positive presence on campus and in the community. I am going to focus on community outreach and am also planning a “meet and greet the coaches and athletes” for our faculty and staff. We have brought “Warrior Fanatics” back to promote more team spirit and increase attendance at our home competitions. We will be hosting the CCAA Cross Country Championships in October and the Track & Field Championships in May, which will bring over 1,500 coaches, athletes and spectators to Turlock. My dream is to build a student success/academic center with a computer lab for our student-athletes to study in between classes and practice to enhance our academic success. I am looking forward to a great year in Warrior Athletics!

 

Q. How has college athletics changed over your 30-year career?  

A. It has changed quite a bit, especially at the Division I level with football and basketball where athletes leave college to play in the pros prior to completing their eligibility.  There are more opportunities for women both in college and at the post collegiate level than there were 30 years ago.  Technology and social media have changed the culture of recruiting, coaching, sports information, game management and promotions for athletic programs.

 

Q. What is your secret to coaching so many champion athletes and teams over the years?

A. There is no secret.  I have had outstanding assistant coaches and extremely talented athletes that worked hard and believed in our program.  If you are passionate about what you are doing and believe in your athletes they will perform.  I have also had great support from my family and administration during my coaching career. 

 

Q. How are you involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes?

A. I started FCA three years ago at the request of several student-athletes and have worked on expanding it here on campus.

 

Q. What is your favorite thing to do for fun in Turlock?  

A. Spend time with family and friends and attend community events.

 

Q. What is the last book or TV show that captivated you and why? 

A. “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg because it is a motivational book about women, work and the will to lead.

 

Q. What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? 

A. I was one of the first women at the Division I collegiate level to coach men in track & field while I was at Syracuse University.