Hickey named to permanent role as Eastern athletics director

Lynn Hickey will not be picking up stakes and moving back to Texas anytime soon.

The current interim athletics director at Eastern Washington University had that title eliminated and will fill the position left by the resignation in January of Bill Chaves who accepted a similar job at the University of North Dakota.

In fact, Hickey will have a slightly different title, that of Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics at Eastern Washington University, effective immediately.

“I am truly honored and excited to lead Eastern’s Athletics Department into the future,” Hickey said in a news release from the university. “I want to continue the work I’ve started toward solidifying a diverse Athletics Department that is committed to academic achievement and competitive excellence.”

Hickey, who has served as interim director since February, was officially introduced April 25, fulfilling the desire of university officials to have a decision made in the hunt for Chaves replacement by the end of April.

EWU President Mary Cullinan tabbed the experienced administrator to oversee the department during a national search. That search produced 50 applicants from NCAA Division I institutions across the country, including Hickey and the other finalist, Utah Valley University AD Vince Otoupal.

“Lynn Hickey emerged as the ideal candidate to fill this important role at Eastern,” Cullinan said. “During her time on campus she has also displayed excellent leadership skills and a vision for how to transform our athletics department into a model program.”

Hickey’s track record is what stood out to the search committee, co-chaired by Provost Scott Gordon and EWU board of trustees member Judge James Murphy.

“Lynn brings a wealth of experience to the position of Director of Athletics,” Gordon said. “She has the perspective of being involved in athletics as a player, coach and longtime administrator and has been successful at every level and in every position. Her passion and expertise in the many key areas of athletics – hiring coaches, advocating for student-athlete welfare, community involvement, fundraising and compliance – set her apart.”

Before coming to Eastern, Hickey served as Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA) for 18 years. Prior to UTSA, Hickey served as Senior Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Texas A&M, College Station.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].