Get to know the CDH Athletics Department: Part One
Greta Cunningham ‘23, Communications Intern
August 16, 2023
Together, Matt Funk, Athletic Director, and associate assistant athletic directors, Bob Kinne '11, Tony Yazbeck, and Tara Seifert, the newest addition to the team, make up the CDH Athletics Department. The four former student athletes now coach boys hockey, boys golf, boys basketball, and girls basketball, respectively, and funnel their love of sport into fueling a program that engages, challenges, and inspires.
How did you come to work at CDH?
Funk: I am entering my fifth season as the head Varsity Boys Hockey coach. I had met Jim O'Neill '74 when I was the head coach at St. Paul Academy and wanted to take on a bigger job where we played AA hockey. I felt like CDH could attract some of the best players in the Metro Area. As for the AD position, I come from a family of teachers and school administrators (both parents, three of my grandparents, and many aunts and uncles). When the job came up, I felt called to be in the school in a greater capacity. It was time to end my over 20-year career at Target and dedicate myself to a community I had grown to love.
Yazbeck: I learned about a coaching position through Basketball Head Coach Jerry Kline '93. I was excited to come to a great place like CDH and be able to coach in such a great program. I was in the classroom teaching business and was offered the position of activities director. In one year we have added 20 activities to be able to support our students by providing extra curricular activities to cultivate them socially and academically.
Kinne: I graduated college in 2017 and started coaching hockey here in the winter of 2018 alongside Jim O'Neill '74 and Charlie Basco, in addition to doing some subbing in the classroom. That February, the assistant AD position opened up. I wrote a letter to Frank Miley and Phil Archer '99, asking them to consider me for the position, and I have been here ever since.
Seifert: I was contacted by CDH about girls basketball and the assistant athletic director position
Tell us about your family:
Funk: I have been married for almost 18 years to my wife, Jovanna, a kindergarten aid at Nativity. I have two daughters, Bridget (14) and Claire (12). Bridget is going to be a 9th grader at CDH, swims year-round for Blackline Club, and enjoys playing softball and volleyball. Claire is heading into 7th grade and plays hockey, softball, tennis, volleyball, and swims.
Yazbeck: I am married to my wife Kim Kneeland Yazbeck ’89, and we have one daughter named Sawyer, who attends Faithful Shepherd and will be in the CDH class of 2032. We live in Inver Grove Heights.
Kinne: This November, I will have been married to my high school sweetheart, Grace Kinne '11, for five years. We have a Black Lab named Ollie, who's four. I have two older brothers, Sam Kinne '05 and Ben Kinne '06, along with my parents, Mike Kinne '80 and Carrie Kinne '83.
Seifert: I have two sons, Jack and Owen.
What is your academic/athletic background?
Funk: I went to St. Luke's (K-8), St. Thomas Academy (9-12), and the University of Notre Dame, where I double majored in Business Management & Sociology. I played three sports at St. Thomas Academy: football (four years), hockey (four years), and baseball (two years). I played club hockey, intramural full pad/full contact football, and baseball at Notre Dame.
Yazbeck: I attended the University of Minnesota and have coached high school basketball for 27 years.
Kinne: I had a private school education all the way up to college: Saint Francis Saint James United Schools (K-8), Cretin-Derham Hall (9-12), Bemidji State University (1.5 years), and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (2.5 years) I graduated with a degree in Sports Management in 2017. I played soccer, hockey, and baseball all the way through high school. I then received a scholarship to play D1 hockey at Bemidji State University. Before heading to BSU, I played two seasons of junior hockey following high school. The two junior teams I played for were the Lincoln Stars (USHL) and the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL). I transferred halfway through my sophomore season to Saint Mary's University, where I played hockey and baseball.
Seifert: I graduated from and played college basketball at Iowa State University.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Funk: My cabin or somewhere warm with a pool or a beach
Yazbeck: San Diego
Kinne: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida
Seifert: Hawaii
Fun fact about yourself?
Funk: I was the lead in the grade school plays in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. In 8th grade, I was Charlie Brown in Your A Good Man Charlie Brown.
Yazbeck: I was interviewed for an ESPN episode of "Outside the Lines."
Kinne: I write with my left hand and play all sports with my right hand.
Seifert: I have a twin brother.