Patrick Chun

Patrick Chun is the athletic director of the Washington State Cougars. He is the first Asian American athletic director at a Power Five school.

Early life and education

Chun was born at St. Elizabeth's Health Center in Youngstown, Ohio[1] to a Korean-American family. His parents had immigrated to Ohio from South Korea in 1969 to pursue the American dream.[2] Growing up in Strongsville, Ohio[3] Chun played baseball, basketball, and football through junior high and high school.[2] Through childhood, his parents encouraged him to pursue a career as a doctor or lawyer but he wished to remain involved in sports.[4]

Chun earned his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University (OSU) and master's degree from Duquesne University.[3] Upon graduating, Chun accepted a sports information internship with Ohio State's athletic department, where he remained for 15 years.[2]

Career

During his tenure at OSU, athletic director (AD) Gene Smith helped Chun make the leap to development and fundraising at Ohio State, ultimately becoming executive associate athletics director.[2] In 2012, Chun left OSU to accept an AD position at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).[5]

Chun spent 5½ years as FAU's athletic director before leaving to accept a similar position with Washington State University, becoming the first Asian American athletic director at a Power Five school.[4] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chun co-chaired the Pac-12 Social Justice & Anti-Racism Advisory Group.[6] The following year, he was appointed the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics's third Vice President following the 2021 Convention.[7] A few months later, Washington State agreed to a contract extension with Chun through 2026 that would increase his base salary to $700,000.[8]

Personal life

Chun and his wife have three daughters.[3]

References
  1. Rosa, Rolando (July 17, 2012). "Getting to know new AD Pat Chun". upressonline.com. University Press. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  2. Clark, Larry (2018). "Athletic Director Pat Chun". magazine.wsu.edu. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  3. "Pat Chun". wsucougars.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  4. Wang, Gene (June 22, 2018). "How rare is Pat Chun's path in college sports? 'You'd have to be an Asian American to understand this.'". Washington Post. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  5. "FAU names Patrick Chun as Director of Athletics". ohiostatebuckeyes.com. July 2, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  6. "Pac-12 announces initial steps to combat racism and promote social justice". pac-12.com. July 1, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  7. "Pat Chun Named NACDA 3rd Vice President". wsucougars.com. March 30, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  8. "Washington State rewards athletic director Pat Chun with contract extension through 2026". ESPN.com. ESPN. May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
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