'One thing that differentiates Washington State — and this is huge — is that people care unconditionally'
By Greg Witter - Jan 25, 10:50 AM Cougfan
…..
Photo info:
PAT CHUN WITH WIFE NATALIE AND THEIR 3 DAUGHTERS. (Photo: Cougfan.com/Haugh)
Daughters: Vanna, Kennedy and Gretta
……………
DUCKING OUT OF the Seattle rain into a Starbucks for a quick cup of coffee with new Washington State athletic director Patrick Chun yields a couple of takeaways before the java (or, in his case, tea) is even poured.
First, he’s definitely not one of those crushed-velour-wearing guys from the old days who grabs your elbow with his left hand while shaking hands with the right. Not that there’s anything wrong with the two-handers but they suggest a type of over-the-top familiarity, whereas Chun possesses an Everyman sincerity.
Second, he’s transparent. Complimented on the Cougar-hued tie he’s wearing with his dark suit, he confesses: spending 15 years at Ohio State — the home of the scarlet and gray — means he has a drawer full of regimental silks that can pass for crimson and gray.
Third, when he says Washington State has what it takes to sit atop the Pac-12’s athletic landscape, he speaks with conviction.
Oh, and he prefers to be called Pat rather than Patrick.
Yes, Cougar fans, WSU’s new man in athletics comes across earnest, focused, committed. And a deeper dive beyond the first impression reinforces the perception.
ASKED WHAT HE'D LIKE COUGAR FANS to remember about his tenure when it’s done, the 43-year-old father of three girls spoke like a team player. It’s not about one person, he said.
“It’s what student-athletes have accomplished … the goal is student-athletes achieving at the highest levels in all aspects — on the fields and courts, academically and in the community. We must do our part to give them the best tools possible to succeed … I want people to associate all of Washington State with excellence.”
The conversation was wide ranging.
He talked about the attraction of raising a family in Pullman; the excellent foundation poured by Bill Moos; Urban Meyer’s affinity for Mike Leach; the impressive way the university rallied together following Tyler Hilinski’s tragic death; Beasley Coliseum's noise-conducive blueprint; and Washington State’s reputation around the nation for spirited alums.
Other highlights from the conversation:
“The bones are in place to have the dominate athletic program in the Pac-12. We’re going to keep building on the positive momentum. We have extradorinaiy people here and outstanding leadership in President Schulz. If we get all of Coug Nation supporting and participating, it’s up to me and my team to put all the pieces together. If we do, we can be the best in the Pac-12.”
“One thing that differentiates Washington State — and this is huge — is that people care unconditionally. The love toward WSU is deep and it’s unique. We have people who care. Not every school has this. With passionate fans, you can do so much. The opportunity is huge.”
Asked about cracking the code to the miserly alumni culture when it comes to donating to Cougar athletics, Chun -- known as a rainmaker in fundraising -- was matter of fact:
“It’s our job to talk about the great things going on here … people want to give to initiatives that are transformative. I’m going to get the lay of the land and then get in front of people to explain why this project and that undertaking are needed.”
And with that, he was off -- to meet with one of the deepest crimson pockets in the area (not named Paul Allen). Chun hasn't even formally started his new job and already he's going to work.
Let it rain.
NOTABLE:
Chun got his career start while in college, as a journalism major, working in the Ohio State sports information department. The day after he graduated he went to work in fundraising at Ohio State and didn't leave until being hired as AD at Florida Atlantic in 2012.
He is the first Asian-American athletic director to lead a Power 5 school and continues President Schulz' drive to diversify his senior leadership team.
Chun said he plans to spend considerable time in the Seattle area, given the booming economy and the critical mass of WSU grads who live in the greater Puget Sound.
///////////////////
Women Cougs basketball hope to trounce Trojans
WSU will look to hold on to ball against top turnover margin team in conference
By AVERY COOPER, Evergreen January 26, 2018
After losing to University of Washington in Seattle, despite a 13-2 fourth quarter run, women’s basketball will look to bounce back against University of Southern California on Friday.
Senior guard Caila Hailey said the Cougars (9-11, 2-6) will try to use that late-game momentum heading into the matchup against the Trojans (13-6, 3-5).
“Just taking what we did in the fourth quarter and transferring that into the first, second and third quarter,” Hailey said. “I think that us fighting for our lives as if we are losing in the first half will kind of translate to that fourth quarter that you see.”
To replicate that final frame, redshirt junior forward Louise Brown said she would like to see the team step up on defense.
“I think that’s what’s going to get us going,” Brown said. “Taking charges, big rebounds and shot clock violations. That wears a team down.”
Brown said the Trojans are tough and gritty. Though each player is talented, she said, this mentality makes the team stand out.
“I think what makes them successful is the hard work,” Brown said, “and that mindset of ‘I don’t care who you are, I’m coming at you at full force.’”
To prepare for USC, Hailey said, the Cougars must stay concentrated.
“I think that will be the biggest focus,” she said. “Still working hard, staying mentally tough through this time. Because we’re only halfway, and there’s still a lot of games left.”
USC is first in the Pac-12 in turnover margin. Hailey said she wants her team to be aggressive and force turnovers of their own.
“I think we need to hit them first and not be the ones getting hit,” she said.
In addition to forcing many turnovers, USC is third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense. To neutralize this, the Cougars will rotate their personnel to keep players energetic.
“Our advantage is going to be bringing a lot of bodies to the court, and they only play five,” Hailey said. “The fact that we can sub and get fresh bodies out there will be our advantage against them.”
USC junior guard Aliyah Mazyck is eighth in the Pac-12 in scoring. She is also second in the conference in three-point shots made per game. To contain her, Hailey said the team needs to play hard.
“Just making sure everything is tough, and that we’re breathing down her neck the whole game,” Hailey said. “Ball pressure, being physical, playing hard, staying up on her and being aggressive defensively.”
Trojans sophomore guard Minyon Moore and Mazyck are second and third in the Pac-12 in steals, respectively.
“I think we’re going to have to come at them with a bit of poise with the ball,” Brown said. “Making quick, smart decisions. The longer we have the ball in our hand and we’re second-guessing ourselves, that’s when they can get up into us and get in passing lanes.”
Another weapon the Trojans have is senior forward Kristen Simon. Simon is fourth in the Pac-12 in scoring, and tied for fifth in rebounding. Brown said the Cougars have to do their best to make life hard on the forward.
“I just think we’re going to have to match her physicality,” Brown said. “Make nothing easy for her. Everything she gets, she’s [going to] have to work for.”
WSU will host USC at 7 p.m. Friday in Beasley Coliseum. The game can be viewed on the WSU Live Stream.
/////////////////
WSU men’s basketball takes on cross state rival UW
Men’s basketball hoping to avenge home court loss to Huskies earlier this month
By COLIN CONNOLLY, Evergreen reporter
January 26, 2018
WSU men’s basketball will face University of Washington on Sunday for the second time this season, looking for revenge.
The Huskies (14-6, 4-3) beat the Cougs (9-10, 1-6) on Jan. 6 in Pullman. WSU led for most of the game, but did not score for the last two minutes, resulting in a 70-65 loss.
Junior forward Robert Franks said the team got complacent and had a lot of mental lapses late that cost them the game.
“We were up ten and got comfortable,” Franks said. “They stayed in attack mode and we lost, we have to play a full 40-minute game on Sunday.”
Getting stops on the defensive end against UW will be WSU’s main focus going into the rematch, junior guard Viont’e Daniels said.
The Huskies shot 73.9 percent from the field in the second half of the first matchup. WSU only forced UW to take one three-pointer in the second half and turned the ball over 23 times in the game, leading to a lot of easy shots for the Huskies, Daniels said.
“We need to cut down on the turnovers,” Daniels said. “Stopping their drives for easy lay-ups and boxing out to get rebounds will kick-start our offense.”
Franks also said slowing down the Huskies offense will be a key part of their gameplan. He said they cannot expect to win games without getting stops, so they need to get three or four stops in a row and really lockdown defensively.
UW freshman guard Jaylen Nowell and WSU sophomore guard Malachi Flynn will be two players to keep an eye on. Nowell made seven of his 13 attempted shots and tallied 15 points in the first game between the two schools.
Flynn only made one of his nine shots from the field and scored a bleak five points in the first matchup. He said he needs to perform better this game and contain Nowell defensively.
“They are really balanced in their scoring, but he is their go to guy at the end of shot clocks or the end of the game, so we need to shut him down,” Flynn said.
Flynn also said his low scoring performance last time out was not due to the Huskies defense, but he really wants to see those shots go in on Sunday.
Flynn said the history of this cross state matchup makes the atmosphere more intense than any other game. He said the Cougs want to win this rivalry game even more than they normally do because they lost the first matchup in Pullman.
Going to Seattle does make it special for a lot of the WSU players, Franks said. The Seattle area was home to many of these players before coming to Pullman, so they get to play in front of a lot of family and friends when they return to face their rival.
Daniels said this rivalry always brings out the best in both sides and they must contain their energy and excitement coming in to the game.
“We don’t like them and they don’t like us, we have to be tough and get our payback,” Daniels said.
Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. Sunday at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle. The game can also be seen live on ESPNU.
