Jan. 29, 2001

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke Director of Athletics Joe Alleva announced on Monday a pair of promotions within the athletic department as Mike Sobb has been elevated to Director of Marketing and Scott Yakola to Director of Sports Promotions.

"These changes will allow both Mike Sobb and Scott Yakola greater flexibility in accomplishing our goals as a department," Alleva said. "The close working relationship Mike and Scott have will help us to better serve our corporate partners and enhance the game day experience for our fans."

Sobb, Duke's Director of Sports Promotions for the past 11 years, will oversee and manage all of Duke's corporate sponsorships with the athletic department including the relationship with Moore Productions, Inc., which handles the Duke Radio Network and basketball and football television coaches shows.

Sobb, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and 1987 graduate of Indiana University, is in his 13th year with the Duke athletic department. He came to Duke in 1988 as an assistant sports information director before becoming the sports promotions director two years later.

An Assistant Director of Sports Promotions for the past four years, Yakola will now lead Duke's efforts with ticket sales, game promotions and the day-to-day operation of the promotions office.

Yakola, a native of West Yarmouth, Mass., and 1987 graduate of Bridgewater State (Mass.) College, is in his 12th year at Duke, having served seven seasons as an assistant cross country and track and field coach before joining the sports promotions staff in 1996.