Staff Directory
Yeakel, Mike
Mike Yeakel
- Title:
- Senior Associate Director / Academic Advising for Athletics
- Email:
- Phone:
- 348-8881
Mike Yeakel joined Rice in February of 2000 as Academic Advisor and was promoted to Senior Associate Director of Academic Advising in Athletics in July of 2023.
In this position, he will continue to manage the Academic Advising Office, and advise the football (defense), men’s basketball, and women’s track & field teams, as well as oversee the Tutor Program.
During his tenure, Rice Athletics has achieved numerous academic accolades in addition to touting exceptional graduation rates. Yeakel serves as the liaison to the Office of International Students and Scholars and was honored in 2009 with the International Education Week Certificate. He earned two Career Champion Certificates from the Center for Career Development and was also instrumental in numerous Rice student athletes receiving prestigious postgraduate fellowships.
Prior to coming to Rice, Yeakel spent two years at Butler University as Athletics Assistant, working with football, baseball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and track & field teams while also assisting with event management.
He earned his BA in Political Science in 1993 while also competing on the Boilermakers men’s basketball ‘Gold Squad’ practice team, playing under Hall of Fame Coach Gene Keady. Yeakel also earned his private pilot’s license at the same time. After completing his undergraduate studies, he continued his education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In the spring 1997, he earned his Master of Science in Recreation. During his time studying at IU, Mike interned with the IU Academic Advising Office and the Athletics Ticket Office.
Mike is married (Nikki) and has two children (Lily and Kylie), one dog and one cat. When Mike is not advising students, he can be found working out with Nikki at the Rec Center. He also enjoys travelling, reading history, and spending time with family.
In this position, he will continue to manage the Academic Advising Office, and advise the football (defense), men’s basketball, and women’s track & field teams, as well as oversee the Tutor Program.
During his tenure, Rice Athletics has achieved numerous academic accolades in addition to touting exceptional graduation rates. Yeakel serves as the liaison to the Office of International Students and Scholars and was honored in 2009 with the International Education Week Certificate. He earned two Career Champion Certificates from the Center for Career Development and was also instrumental in numerous Rice student athletes receiving prestigious postgraduate fellowships.
Prior to coming to Rice, Yeakel spent two years at Butler University as Athletics Assistant, working with football, baseball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and track & field teams while also assisting with event management.
He earned his BA in Political Science in 1993 while also competing on the Boilermakers men’s basketball ‘Gold Squad’ practice team, playing under Hall of Fame Coach Gene Keady. Yeakel also earned his private pilot’s license at the same time. After completing his undergraduate studies, he continued his education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In the spring 1997, he earned his Master of Science in Recreation. During his time studying at IU, Mike interned with the IU Academic Advising Office and the Athletics Ticket Office.
Mike is married (Nikki) and has two children (Lily and Kylie), one dog and one cat. When Mike is not advising students, he can be found working out with Nikki at the Rec Center. He also enjoys travelling, reading history, and spending time with family.
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