Patrick Chun officially announced as WSU athletics director

The worst kept secret in Washington State Cougars athletics was finally confirmed today, as the university officially announced the hiring of Patrick Chun to replace Bill Moos as director of athletics.

There will be a news conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m. to introduce him to the Cougar faithful and the media.

“This is a game-changing day for our athletics program,” WSU President Kirk Schulz said via news release. “We were focused on finding a leader with the right blend of experience, vision, and passion to lead Cougar athletics to the next level of success. In Pat, we’re confident we found that person. His achievements in fundraising, boosting the academic success rate of student athletes, and building strong relationships with the community — on- and off-campus — are exemplary.”

Chun has been the athletics director for the Florida Atlantic Owls since 2012, and while much of the WSU news release focuses on Chun’s accomplishments in the academic realm and FAU’s on-field success, this is the part in which WSU fans likely will be most interested:

Chun has earned a reputation as an outstanding fundraiser with record successes at two institutions. At FAU, December 2, 2015, the university announced the largest single gift in its history, $16 million from the Schmidt Family Foundation. The lead gift is directed to the design and construction of a new athletics facility to be named the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. In addition to the naming rights gift, two separate $5 million naming gifts were included in the project for a sports medicine center and academic center. Construction began in the fall of 2017.

Prior to his time at FAU, Chun spent 15 years at Ohio State University, working his way up the athletics department ladder. He was noted for his fundraising leadership there, while also serving as the daily administrative liaison with the football program.

“I am honored to serve the Washington State University family and I want to thank President Schulz and the search committee for entrusting me as the steward of the Department of Athletics,” Chun said via news release. “The passion and pride of Cougar Nation is renowned and revered across the country and I will work with our great coaches and staff to impact the lives of our student-athletes and to build upon our past successes to achieve new heights. My family and I are looking forward to joining the WSU community and we are excited to get started.”