SEATTLE - Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. announced Wednesday that Shaney Fink has been named the new Director of Athletics for Seattle U, effective Nov. 1.
Fink comes to Seattle U from the University of San Diego where she most recently served as Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator. Her full tenure at USD spanned more than 17 years and included previous roles in compliance and student services, academic support and as an assistant volleyball coach for the Toreros.
“I am honored and thrilled to join Seattle University as its new Director of Athletics,†Fink said. “I am grateful for the support of President Sundborg, the Trustees, Executive Vice President Tim Leary, Vice President and search committee chair Mary Petersen and all those who were involved in the process. I am looking forward to building on the foundation of success at Seattle U and engaging the entire community, to work together to fulfill the bold vision for Seattle University Athletics.â€
At USD, Fink was responsible for day-to-day operations and management of 17 NCAA Division I teams and 450 student-athletes. She was a key point person for many leadership, strategic planning, inclusion and fundraising initiatives during her USD tenure.
Fink served as a member of the President's Cabinet and assisted in the creation of the 2008-14 and 2015-17 Strategic Plans for Athletics, as well as the 2008 Master Plan for Athletics Facilities and Campus Recreation.
She held oversight responsibility for a development team and assisted in development and management of a $20+ million Athletics Department budget.
At USD, Fink founded and chaired the Torero Athletics Council, a grassroots effort to facilitate communication between faculty and members of the athletics department. She also created both the 2008-14 and 2015-17 USD Athletics Gender Equity Plans, going on to serve as chair of the Gender Equity, Diversity and Student-Athlete Welfare Committee.
Fink served as the West Coast Conference representative on the NCAA Legislative Council and the Pioneer Football League representative on the NCAA Legislative Council Football Championship Series Subcommittee from 2011-2015.
As a member of the West Coast Conference Executive Council, she chaired the Academics, Legislation & Compliance Cabinet and Senior Woman Administrators and sat on the Waiver Committee.
Fink participated in the NCAA Pathways program after completing the 2015 NACWAA Executive Institute in Kansas City in 2015. In 2013 she was named NCAA Division I FCS Administrator of the Year by NACWAA.
During the 1999 season Fink assisted the Torero volleyball coaching staff, helping USD to a 23-6 record and second round finish in the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to USD she gained coaching experience at the high school, college (Colgate University) and international levels. Upon completion of her collegiate volleyball career at California, Fink competed professionally in beach and indoor volleyball, domestically and internationally.
Fink earned a bachelor's degree in social science from Cal and a master's degree in counseling from San Diego. Shaney and her husband, Tom Vorkoper, have three children - Lucas, Mia and Leon.