SEATTLE – (Sept. 24) Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver has promoted Director of Athletics Shaney Fink to the position of Vice President of Athletics.
"Since arriving as Director of Athletics in 2016, Shaney has focused on providing to our student athletes a first-rate, holistic experience grounded in Ignatian values," Peñalver said. "Her guidance and leadership of SU Athletics through this period of progress and success was pivotal in our university being invited into the West Coast Conference. And as we prepare to officially join the WCC this July, Shaney is the right person to lead us into this exciting new era for our university."
Under Fink's leadership, Seattle University Athletics has bolstered and centralized student athlete support services, launched the Redhawk Experience (TREx), a program designed to highlight Seattle University's Jesuit education and integrate an Ignatian framework to the student athlete experience, and SOAR, Seattle U's Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program which focuses on professional formation, including financial literacy, personal branding, marketing and communication skills, empowering student athletes to leverage NIL while preparing for success beyond sports.
Redhawk student athletes have responded in the classroom, earning 3.3+ GPAs for 14 consecutive academic terms. Competitive excellence has soared during her tenure, paced by men's basketball's recent streak of three consecutive 20-win seasons, a first-ever Western Athletic Conference regular season title and the 2024 College Basketball Invitational Championship. All told, seven programs have accounted for 34 WAC championships under Fink's watch.
In addition to success in competition and in the classroom, Redhawk student athletes have deep relationships in the community, enhanced by the support of the university's Center for Community Engagement.
The ever-growing support of donors to the Redhawk Club has played a critical role in the recent success as the number of donors has increased 10%+ year-over-year. Annual gifts continue to grow including $2.8M+ secured in 2024.
Fink has overseen the development and implementation of the athletics facilities master plan which has most recently included the renovation of the Redhawk competition pool and the opening of the Wright Family Athletic Performance Center.
Fink was recognized by her peers as the 2021-22 NACDA Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year. She also serves as a member of the NACDA 1-AAA Executive Committee, including as 2nd Vice President for the 2024-25 year, NCAA Nominating Committee and is a longtime member of Women Leaders in Sports. On campus, Fink serves as a member of the university's leadership team.
Donate Today
Fans interested in making a gift to Seattle University Athletics can do so by clicking here. Your gift directly impacts all Redhawk student athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. Thank you for supporting Seattle University Athletics!
Follow Along With the Action
Stay connected with Seattle U athletics and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.
"Since arriving as Director of Athletics in 2016, Shaney has focused on providing to our student athletes a first-rate, holistic experience grounded in Ignatian values," Peñalver said. "Her guidance and leadership of SU Athletics through this period of progress and success was pivotal in our university being invited into the West Coast Conference. And as we prepare to officially join the WCC this July, Shaney is the right person to lead us into this exciting new era for our university."
Under Fink's leadership, Seattle University Athletics has bolstered and centralized student athlete support services, launched the Redhawk Experience (TREx), a program designed to highlight Seattle University's Jesuit education and integrate an Ignatian framework to the student athlete experience, and SOAR, Seattle U's Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program which focuses on professional formation, including financial literacy, personal branding, marketing and communication skills, empowering student athletes to leverage NIL while preparing for success beyond sports.
Redhawk student athletes have responded in the classroom, earning 3.3+ GPAs for 14 consecutive academic terms. Competitive excellence has soared during her tenure, paced by men's basketball's recent streak of three consecutive 20-win seasons, a first-ever Western Athletic Conference regular season title and the 2024 College Basketball Invitational Championship. All told, seven programs have accounted for 34 WAC championships under Fink's watch.
In addition to success in competition and in the classroom, Redhawk student athletes have deep relationships in the community, enhanced by the support of the university's Center for Community Engagement.
The ever-growing support of donors to the Redhawk Club has played a critical role in the recent success as the number of donors has increased 10%+ year-over-year. Annual gifts continue to grow including $2.8M+ secured in 2024.
Fink has overseen the development and implementation of the athletics facilities master plan which has most recently included the renovation of the Redhawk competition pool and the opening of the Wright Family Athletic Performance Center.
Fink was recognized by her peers as the 2021-22 NACDA Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year. She also serves as a member of the NACDA 1-AAA Executive Committee, including as 2nd Vice President for the 2024-25 year, NCAA Nominating Committee and is a longtime member of Women Leaders in Sports. On campus, Fink serves as a member of the university's leadership team.
Donate Today
Fans interested in making a gift to Seattle University Athletics can do so by clicking here. Your gift directly impacts all Redhawk student athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. Thank you for supporting Seattle University Athletics!
Follow Along With the Action
Stay connected with Seattle U athletics and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.