The Washington Huskies held their introductory press conference on Thursday morning to welcome new athletic director Pat Chun. President Ana Marie Cauce opened up the event by discussing some of Chun’s strongest qualities.
“Pat knows our state,” she said. “He’s committed to our values, and that is so important. This is someone who will support the whole student athlete, and that is something that is ingrained in us and he brings those values.”
“I can’t tell you when I did make phone calls, and people made phone calls to me from across the country all telling me how he was incredibly well respected,” she said. “And, you know, we all know this is a really dynamic time in college athletics, and because of the positions that he’s had, he can help us get to where the puck’s going to be.”
“He has a better sense. I mean, not that anyone has a magic ball, but he has a better sense. And he can pick up the phone, and he has contacts that are going to be so important to help position us not just for the Big Ten, but for a very, very dynamic period in college football.”
After a warm welcome and a “Go Dawgs” from Cauce, Chun took the microphone and started out by thanking the president, his wife Natalie, their children, and Erin O’Connell, who for the second time in the last six months stepped in as the interim athletic director. Chun called her “a treasure to this athletic department and a true leader,” adding “we appreciate everything you do.”
He then turned his attention toward thanking many at Washington State, starting with president Kirk Schultz.
“For the past six years, your leadership has allowed the athletics department to achieve record levels of success on so many levels. You’ve been a great boss, partner, and friend, and I appreciate everything you have done for me and my family.”
Chun went on to thank his mentor, Gene Smith, former athletic director at Ohio State and introduce his family. He spoke about being the son of two Korean immigrants and their hard work ethic that set very strong and high standards in their family for both he and his sister.
He also discussed his time at Ohio State fondly, saying, “I spent the first 15 years of my career at that same Big Ten institution and learned that it’s all about people.”
The Huskies also got some help in the hiring process from an old friend, former athletic director Jen Cohen, who helped convince him to take the job.
“Eight days ago, my friend Jen Cohen called me as I was sitting in Omaha, Nebraska, the night before Washington State’s NCAA Tournament game and I picked up the phone and she asked me, ‘what are you thinking?’ And Jen and I, I think it’s known that we’re friends, so I asked her, ‘What should I be thinking?'” Chun said.
“She talked about her love of Washington and spent the rest of the phone call talking about the people, the relationships, the selfishness, the pride Huskies have with this athletic department, with this university, and with this community.”
He also acknowledged Washington’s move to the Big Ten and the ever-changing future of college athletics. “This is a unique moment in time for UW and college athletics as college sports continues to go through dynamic change. Washington and the Big Ten conference should be leaders, not followers. We will not take a backseat to anyone. And we will ensure that our voices are heard at the highest levels of college athletics on Montlake.”
“While football often gets the most attention, we will pursue championships. And I say that plural, and every sport that we sponsor, we’ll provide our athletes with a transformational student athlete experience that will shape the rest of their lives. We will support them as they pursue their degrees and career interests.”
“We will be unrelenting in our daily pursuit of excellence. We will work every day to be the best we are absolutely supposed to be,” Chun said.
He closed out the press conference with simple words of gratitude.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for allowing us to be a part of the University of Washington. Go Huskies!”