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. 1 2 3 4 Clark, Larry (2018). "Athletic Director Pat Chun". magazine.wsu.edu. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Pat Chun". wsucougars.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  4. 1 2 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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