The Cougar community filled the Alger Family Room inside Gesa Field Tuesday afternoon to welcome and celebrate Anne McCoy as the next Washington State University athletics director.
It took McCoy just two months to move from interim athletics director to WSU’s 15th director of intercollegiate athletics. She brings more than two decades of experience serving Cougar Athletics and shared her excitement about the future of the school and its athletics programs with audience members.
“I feel so excited about where Washington State University is right now,” McCoy said in reference to ongoing conference realignment discussions. “We are in a position where every one of our sports can continue to compete at a high level, can compete for championships to make everyone proud, and to provide a phenomenal experience for our student athletes, nothing has changed there.”
When it came time to naming the next permanent athletics director, President Kirk Schulz recalled having a speech prepared to try to convince McCoy to take up the role. Before he could begin, however, McCoy dove into her own impassioned pitch to take up the mantle as athletics director.
“I’ve been so impressed by her passion for Cougar Athletics, and her commitment to excellence at Washington State University,” Schulz said.
Head Football Coach Jake Dickert said it best, Schulz added, in his assessment that what’s best for WSU is someone who, like McCoy, sees WSU not as a stepping stone, but as the place they want to be.
Asked about her top priorities, McCoy singled out efforts related to athletics conference affiliation, financial stability, and assuring coaches, student athletes and the Cougar community at-large of the strong position the school is in. McCoy compared the ongoing work related to athletics affiliation to building a house. Right now, not a lot is within view of the general public, but McCoy said the foundational work that’s happening is setting WSU up to build something to behold.
The complete press conference is available to watch on the WSU Athletics’ Facebook page.
A conversation with Anne McCoy
WSU Regent Enrique Cerna sat down with new Athletic Director Anne McCoy recently to learn more about her plans for WSU Athletics, insights on the current NCAA landscape and life outside the athletic department.
