March 26, 2024
University of Washington appoints Pat Chun as Director of Athletics
Pat Chun
The University of Washington has appointed Pat Chun to serve as its 17th Director of Athletics, UW President Ana Mari Cauce announced today. Chun has served in the same role at Washington State University since 2018, during which time he was named the Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year, 10 different WSU sports programs made NCAA tournament appearances and the school won six Pac-12 Championships.
Chun will begin his duties at the UW on Wednesday, March 27, and will be introduced at a news conference on Thursday, March 28.
“Pat has a track record of success and a wealth of experience — from 15 years in the Big Ten and service on national groups guiding the future of college sports, to securing community support and a commitment to the well-being of student-athletes. He knows our state, is highly respected in national athletics circles and has an eye for talent. I’m so happy he’ll be joining us to lead UW Athletics into the future,” said UW President Ana Mari Cauce.
“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,” said Chun. “I am grateful to President Cauce for the opportunity and will work closely with our campus partners, our coaches and our staff to help our student-athletes have an incredible experience at UW. Our transition to the Big Ten is a critical step in our journey and great things lie ahead for the Huskies!”
Earlier this year, Chun was appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and also serves on the NCAA Division I Council. He previously served on the NCAA Division I Transformation Committee and is a co-founder of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Athletics Alliance. Pat is currently the president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and co-chairs the Pac-12 ImPACt Leadership Council, which focuses on college sports as a vehicle for positive social change.
At Washington State, Chun oversaw successes in competition and the classroom, and secured record levels of donor support during this time. His appointment at WSU made him the first Asian American athletics director to lead a Power Five program.
Chun began his career in a series of roles at The Ohio State University lasting from 1997 to 2012, ultimately serving as Executive Associate Athletics Director. During his time at OSU overseeing external relations, he led three consecutive record fundraising years and led negotiations of what was at the time the largest multimedia rights deal in intercollegiate athletics history.
After OSU, Chun led the Florida Atlantic University athletics program for five-and-a-half years, during which time the Owls won multiple individual and team championships, many national and conference awards, and raised the department-wide GPA to a new high.
“I am excited about forming an elite partnership and special relationship with Pat Chun. It was critical for us to hire an extraordinary leader who is all about the W. Pat is about work, winning and the state of Washington. He is someone who is extremely knowledgeable and on the cutting edge of the new frontier of college football. Most of all, he is a proven winner. He knows what it takes to compete and win consistently at the highest levels. And he brings intimate knowledge of the Big Ten from his time at Ohio State. I look forward to sharing ideas together, to learning together, to winning together and to bringing multiple championship trophies to Montlake together,” said UW Head Football Coach Jedd Fisch.
“I’m excited to have Pat Chun as our new Director of Athletics. He truly centers student-athletes’ well-being, academic and athletic pursuits. From his engagement on the D1 Transformation Committee to chairing the Pac-12 ImPACt Leadership Council, he has shown his thoughtfulness for the future of college sports. He is a perfect fit for our UW culture and values and will move us forward into the Big Ten,” said Alexes Harris, a professor of sociology at the UW who serves as UW Faculty Regent and Faculty Athletics Representative.
“Pat is an outstanding leader and administrator who possesses exceptional knowledge of the turbulent landscape of college athletics. He is an excellent team builder who has a keen eye for recognizing and hiring top-notch coaches and administrators. Not only does Pat have extensive knowledge and experience in the Big Ten, but he also has deep ties to the Pacific Northwest and Seattle. With so many changes occurring, Pat is the perfect person to help navigate and take UW to new heights as we enter the Big Ten this fall,” said Chris Petersen, former UW head football coach.
Chun grew up in Strongsville, Ohio, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State and a master’s degree from Duquesne University. His wife, Natalie, is also an Ohio State alumnus and they have three daughters — Vanna, Kennedy and Gretta.
For more information, contact David Rey at drey94@uw.edu.
Tag(s): Alexes Harris • Ana Mari Cauce • UW Athletics
