The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce the David and Cynthia Yakubovic Memorial Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
This scholarship was recently established for David and Cynthia Yakubovic who truly exemplify what hard work, discipline and determination can achieve. David Yakubovic earned his accounting degree from YSU over a 10-year period while working at Fitzsimmons Steel. Cynthia, his wife of 53 years, attended YSU, worked at Macy’s and tended to their family of four daughters. They were two of the original season-ticket holders at Stambaugh Stadium after attending Penguins football games at Austintown Fitch and Rayen Stadium for years.
In loving memory of their parents and the true meaning of ‘get it done’, Denise (1983 BSBA) and Ron Kissel (1983 BSBA/YSU football 1978-82) have dedicated this scholarship to provide a deserving YSU football student-athlete with the opportunity to excel in the classroom and on the field.
The recipient of the scholarship endowment will be a member of the football team with a preference given to a student enrolled in the Williams College of Business Administration.
The 2018-19 recipient of the scholarship endowment is freshman football student-athlete Jacob Benio. Benio is a tight end for the Penguins who is a native of Marietta, Ga.
"We are excited to establish this scholarship to memorialize two of the greatest supporters of the YSU football program,” Denise and Ron Kissel said. “This endowed scholarship will provide support for student-athletes in the present and throughout the future. We would like to thank the YSU Foundation for this opportunity to recognize past contributors and support the future of the University.”
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said the Yakubovic family has been long-time Penguins fans who truly enjoyed being fans of Youngstown State football.
"It is special of Denise and Ron to endow this scholarship to honor Cynthia and David," McFadden said. "The Yakubovic’s were big-time YSU fans who supported the football team for many years and took great pride in attending all the home games."
For more information, or to endow an athletic scholarship at Youngstown State University, contact Dan Kopp at the YSU Foundation at (330) 941-3211 or dkopp@ysufoundation.org
