Young Kang CIT’92 Makes Gift to Establish Matching Campaign For Men’s Soccer

The Carnegie Mellon men’s soccer community received a grand challenge this week, as 1992 graduate Young Kang made a leadership gift to generate support for the program. Kang, who previously named a Tartan Award and contributed covered benches for the program, pledged $25,000 to establish the Young Kang Matching Campaign.

“Our ambition is to become one of the premier men’s soccer programs in the country, while providing an incomparable experience for our students,” said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. “Young continues to be a champion for our program with his incredible generosity and vision. We are confident that the men’s soccer community will answer his challenge and take advantage of this inspirational opportunity.”

Kang will match every gift made to the men’s soccer program for the remainder of the fiscal year – up to $25,000. As a starting point, he will match the $7,335 that has already been contributed to the team’s Tartan Fund this year. The remaining $17,665 must be raised prior to the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2016.

“It’s an honor to collaborate with Josh to find ways to encourage and support the men’s soccer program for current and future student-athletes,” Kang said.  “Sustainable success of the program goes well beyond any players, coaches or individuals. Team effort will lead to triumph on and off the pitch.”   

Funds raised from the matching challenge will be utilized for specific purposes to enhance the men’s soccer program, including a team trip to compete in California, improved apparel and program branding, upgraded technology for the coaching staff, increased recruiting resources and flexibility for additional coaching support.

“We are so grateful to Young for his leadership, and incredible generosity,” said head coach Brandon Bowman. “We believe that raising funds for these specific purposes will help us toward our goal of becoming one of the top programs in the nation. We are also excited to engage a wide base of alumni, parents and friends through this challenge, to help ensure the long-term viability of the Carnegie Mellon men’s soccer program.”

A standout player for the Tartans, Kang helped lead the team to a 39-18-7 mark during his time at Carnegie Mellon. In 1990, he scored 15 goals and set the school single-season mark for goals in a season. He is now fourth on the program’s single-season list. 

Following graduation, Kang worked for J.P. Morgan before moving to S.A.C. Capital in Stamford, Connecticut. Following that experience, he headed to Citigroup, where he is now the global head of algorithmic products.

Kang has also given his time back to his alma mater and has returned to campus to make presentations to the Korean Student Association, Finance Club and Men’s Soccer Team.

If you would like to participate in the Young Kang Matching Challenge, please click here to make a contribution.