NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Mar. 27—One day after losing its men’s basketball coach, Washington State lost its athletic director to its biggest rival.
Former WSU athletic director Pat Chun has accepted the AD position at the University of Washington, it was announced Tuesday.
The news came one day after men’s hoops coach Kyle Smith jumped to Stanford.
“It is truly an honor for my family and I to join the University of Washington family, and I look forward to doing my part to help elevate the athletics program and the University,” Chun said in a statement. “Our transition to the Big Ten is a critical step in our journey and great things lie ahead for the Huskies.”
Chun joined WSU from Florida Atlantic in 2018. In Seattle, he replaces former UW athletic director Troy Dannen, who left for Nebraska last week.
During his six years in Pullman, Chun helped the Cougars navigate a series of unprecedented events in college athletics.
Chun led WSU through the COVID-19 pandemic; the introduction of Name, Image and Likeness deals for college athletes; massive athletics budget deficits and the ongoing collapse of the Pac-12 Conference.
He hired Apple Cup-winning football coach Jake Dickert, Pac-12-champion women’s basketball coach Kamie Ethridge, as well as Smith, who recently took the men’s basketball team to its first NCAA tournament in 16 years.
Chun also spearheaded record-setting fundraising totals with the Cougs. WSU set a university record in 2022-23, finishing with $61.9 million in athletics fundraising.
At UW, Chun joins a school that is leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten next season. The Huskies and nine other Pac-12 schools will exit the league this year, leaving behind just Washington State and Oregon State.
“We appreciate Pat Chun’s six years of service as WSU Director of Athletics and are disappointed by his departure,” WSU President Kirk Schulz said…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pat-chun-athletic-director-washington-121600019.html
Author : Lewiston Tribune, Idaho
Publish date : 2024-03-27 12:16:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
