Young was active in a wide range of issues involving intercollegiate athletics. In an era when the NCAA called Title IX requirements for women's athletics “Extreme”, Young voluntarily expanded UCLA women's athletics even before the requirements went into effect, adding 11 varsity programs for women in 1974. During Young's time at UCLA (Fall 1968 through Spring 1997) UCLA women won 14 NCAA team championships. Men's teams won another 47 trophies for a total of 61. As chair of the Pac-8's President and Chancellors group, Young led the effort to add the University of Arizona and Arizona State University to the conference. He announced the new Pac-10 in 1978. In 1988, Young helped to negotiate a lucrative ABC television contract for the Rose Bowl game. Young was also a vocal leader of reform efforts as a member of the American Council on Education (ACE), the NCAA Presidents Commission and the Knight Commission. His ACE committee recommended limitations on recruiting and stronger satisfactory-progress legislation.