Doug Yingst Named Lebanon Valley College Director of Corporate Relations and Athletic Giving
Former Bears president and general manager Doug Yingst has been names Lebanon Valley College’s new director of corporate relations and athletic giving.
“There has always been a passion for LVC, not only for myself, but also my family,” Yingst said in a press release. “It truly is a rewarding feeling to have the opportunity to work at such an outstanding College. I can only hope my employment will have a significant and positive impact.”
Yingst’s grandson, Zach, is a first year student at the school.
Yingst retired from the Bears after 34 years with the team.
Full press release:
Lebanon Valley College Introduces Doug Yingst As Director of Corporate Relations
08.30.16 |Lebanon Valley College today announced Doug Yingst, retired president and general manager of the Hershey Bears Hockey Club, as the College’s new director of corporate relations and athletic giving.
Yingst has numerous family ties to The Valley, the newest one being his grandson Zach Yingst ’20 who is a first-year student. Yingst’s sister, brother, and son all earned degrees at The Valley. His mother served as secretary to George Reynolds “Rinso” Marquette ’48, vice president emeritus of student affairs, and Gregory G. Stanson ’63, P’92, P’95, vice president emeritus of enrollment and student services.
“There has always been a passion for LVC, not only for myself, but also my family,” said Yingst. “It truly is a rewarding feeling to have the opportunity to work at such an outstanding College. I can only hope my employment will have a significant and positive impact.”
Yingst’s business savvy will be an asset in his new venture. He began his long career with the Bears in 1982, serving as the team’s sales and promotions director, before moving into an assistant general manager position in 1988 alongside legendary GM Frank Mathers.
The American Hockey League (AHL) has recognized Yingst several times in his career. He was named the winner of the Thomas Ebright Award, presented annually for outstanding career contributions to the AHL. He is also a two-time winner of the James C. Handy Memorial Award, presented to a team executive for outstanding contributions to the AHL. Prior to his role as president and general manager, Yingst won the AHL’s Ken McKenzie Award in 1988, given to the person judged to have done the most to promote their team.
Yingst retired from Hershey after compiling a résumé that lists him as the winningest executive in Bears’ history, having hoisted the Calder Cup five times. He served as president and general manager of the club from the 1997–98 season to 2015–16. Under his leadership, the Bears orchestrated the best five-year run in AHL history from 2006–2010, as the team played for the Calder Cup four times and won three (2006, 2009, 2010). His five championships are an AHL record as a president/general manager. This past season, he was at the helm for another Eastern Conference championship, with his club battling in the Calder Cup Finals for a fifth time during its 11-year affiliation with the Washington Capitals.
The Bears also completed a 10th consecutive season as attendance leaders of the AHL, due in large part to Yingst’s guidance.