Patrick Chun
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Patrick Chun of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is the new athletic director at Washington State University.
Chun has spent the past five years leading the sports programs at FAU, a Conference USA school. He replaces Bill Moos, who left recently to become the athletic director at Nebraska. Chun was introduced at a press conference in Pullman on Jan. 23.
The 43-year-old Chun is the first Asian American athletic director to lead a Power 5 school, Washington State said. The Cougars compete in the Pac-12 Conference.
“This is a game-changing day for our athletics program,’’ Washington State President Kirk Schulz said.
Schulz pointed to Chun’s achievements in fundraising, boosting the academic success rate of student-athletes, and building strong relationships with the community. The Cougars are trying to eliminate a budget deficit of more than $8 million in athletics.
Prior to his stint at Florida Atlantic, Chun spent 15 years in several roles at Ohio State.
“I am honored to serve the Washington State University family,’’ Chun said in a news release. “The passion and pride of Cougar Nation is renowned and revered across the country.’’
At Ohio State, Chun oversaw record fundraising years of $42 million in 2012 and $41 million in 2011.
The Cougars have the smallest football stadium in the Pac-12 and the program has a relatively small donor base that Chun is expected to expand.
Chun is a native of Strongsville, Ohio, and he earned a bachelor’s degree at Ohio State and a master’s degree at Duquesne.