On May 31, 2005, Ray Funk was officially named Director of Athletics at Yakima Valley College. He is just the fourth individual to serve the full-time role in over 75 years, following the tenures of Glen Sherar (1946-72), Bill Faller (1972-83), and Jerry Ward (1983-2004).
Under his leadership, YVC athletic programs have won seven championships, including four Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) titles—men’s basketball (2022 and 2008), baseball (2016), and women’s basketball (2011) and three National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) titles—women’s wrestling (2009-11). The Yaks have made 34 appearances at NWAC Championship Tournaments, placing 18 times and have won nine East Region crowns. In addition, 14 student-athletes have earned NWAC Most Valuable Players or been named to their sport’s All-American team while 302 student-athletes have received All-NWAC honors. Lastly, Funk’s head coaching hires have earned “Coach of the Year” 10 times.
Academic success has also been a focus for they Yaks with Funk spearheading study table programs for student-athletes that have resulted in 127 sophomores being named to their respective sport’s NWAC All-Academic team and well over 700 student-athletes being named to YVC’s President’s or Dean’s List over the past decade. The department has been named “Program of the Year” several times by the Associated Students of YVC.
Since Funk's arrival, the overall budget of the YVC athletic department has increased by 99 percent. Specific attention to improving fundraising and department revenues has led to the building and strengthening of relationships amongst students, administration, and staff. Particular emphases have focused on raising additional funds for athletic scholarships, directly benefiting Yak student-athletes.
During his tenure, YVC has consistently sought to improve its athletic facilities. Through a variety of development efforts, strategic budgetary scheduling, and the cultivation of relationships across both the campus and local community, well over $4.8 million has been invested toward these efforts including:
Dunbar Field
- New signage and protective screening (2022), scoreboard (2018), padding (2016), sound system and foul poles (2014), new dirt for infield (2008), new sod to bring outfield grass closer to home plate (2007)
Parker Faller Field
- Laser grading of infield (2023), new signage (2018), complete construction of grandstand/bleachers, batting cages and bullpens (2016), new dugouts, scoreboard, signage, and renamed Parker Faller Field (2015)
Sherar Gymnasium
- Upgraded shot clocks (2023), complete refinish of the floor at Crosier Court (2020), updated Athletic Hall of Fame and conference room (2019), complete renovation of Fitness Center—construction and equipment (2018), new wall pads, varsity lockers, and naming ceremony of Crosier Court (2012), new scoreboard, shot clocks, sound system, and banners (2010), new acoustical panels and lighting upgrade (2009), complete remodel of Foyer and Concession Stand (2007), installation of new bleachers (2006) and new scorer’s table and chairs (2005)
YVC Soccer Field
- Upgraded sound system and new 15-foot gate behind north goals (2017), new storage shed (2009), complete construction/installation of the turf and grandstand/bleachers, new gates/fences, and scoreboard (2008)
Similar to improvement efforts for YVC's athletic facilities, Funk has focused on branding for the athletic department with the result being the creation of the department’s Visual Identity Guide and a consistent look for all athletic logos, colors and fonts across all Yak teams and facilities. Likewise, he has led efforts to improve, relaunch, and maintain the college’s athletic website,
www.goyaks.com.
Funk also serves the NWAC and his community through work on committees and boards. He is on the NWAC Men’s Basketball committee (2006 - current), the Board of Directors for the Parker Youth and Sports Foundation in Yakima (2015 - current), and is involved with the Yakima Valley Sports Commission (2009 - current). Prior to that, he chaired the NWAC East Region Commissioners (2006-07), served on the NWAC Executive Board (2007-10), chaired the NWAC Executive Board (2008-10), served on the NWAC Softball committee (2006-11) and chaired the South Central Athletic Conference athletic directors (2003-05).
Before focusing solely on his administrative role, Funk coached basketball for a total of 30 seasons— as Head Coach for the YVC Men’s (2005-16) and White Swan HS Boys’ (1995-2005) programs and as Assistant Coach for the YVC Men’s (2020-22), West Valley HS Boys’ (2016-21) and White Swan HS Girls’ (1992-93 and 1994-95) programs. Throughout his career, his teams won two NWAC championships (2022, 2008) and 16 qualified for either the NWAC or WIAA championship tournaments, with five semi-final appearances. Additionally, six of those teams were league champions and three were district champions. Overall, his teams won a total of 440 games—including 322 as a head coach. 58 of his players earned All-Conference, All-Region, or All-State honors and six won conference or region MVPs. 81 of his former players went on to play at four-year universities, six went on to play professionally, and eight of his former assistant coaches went on to become head basketball coaches.
Funk’s experience in athletics also includes working in the front office of the NBA’s Miami Heat as he was earning his Master of Science degree in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University (1994). He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies and Secondary Education from Washington State University (1992), graduating summa cum laude and obtained his Associate in Arts and Science degree from YVC (1990), graduating with honors. He holds a Washington State Teaching Certificate and a Certified Athletic Administrator license through the NIAAA. A native of the Yakima Valley, he and his wife Lonni have been married for 23 years and have one son, Trey, who’s a senior at WSU-Pullman.
