PULLMAN, Wash. (June 7, 2022) – Washington State University Director of Athletics Pat Chun announced Tuesday that Ike Ukaegbu has been named a Deputy Director of Athletics at Washington State. Ukaegbu will begin his duties Monday, June 13.
 
"We are excited to welcome Ike to WSU Athletics," said Chun. "Ike brings a unique background and diverse experiences to our administrative team. He has built a track record of positively impacting the student-athlete experience over his career. He is an exceptional leader and we are fortunate to add him to our team. We are happy to bring Ike, Katie and their children Devin, Rosie and Spencer, back into the Pacific Northwest as part of the Cougar Family."
 
Ukaegbu arrives in Pullman having spent the past seven years as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance at Texas Christian University (TCU). While there, he oversaw all areas of TCU's comprehensive athletics compliance operations for the department's 22 sport programs, was the Sport Administrator for the Men's Basketball, Swimming & Diving and Rifle programs, and was also a member of the Athletic Director's Executive Team.
 
"My family and I are excited to get to the Palouse and join the Washington State University and Pullman communities," said Ukaegbu. "I want to thank President Schulz, Chancellor Chilton and Pat Chun for this wonderful opportunity and their outstanding leadership. There is tremendous momentum surrounding Washington State Athletics and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve and impact the student-athletes, coaches and staff moving forward. I also want to thank Chancellor Victor Boschini (TCU Chancellor), Chris Del Conte (former TCU Director of Athletics) and Jeremiah Donati (current TCU Director of Athletics) for their leadership, guidance and friendship. Go Cougs!"
 
Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, Ukaegbu was one of 20 individuals who participated in the yearlong NCAA Pathway Program, which prepares senior-level athletic administrators to attain positions as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
 
Ukaegbu completed the third cohort of the TCU Master Leaders Program and also served as a member of the department of athletics Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council. As part of his DEI Council responsibilities, he represented the athletics department in the university's search for a Chief Inclusion Officer. In August 2020, he was selected as the TCU Chancellor's Staff Award recipient, which recognizes a university staff member noted for exemplary service and above and beyond contributions to the welfare of the campus community. Ukaegbu, in collaboration with other athletics department staff members and campus partners, spearheaded the launch of TCU's Name, Image & Likeness program, "Scaled to Succeed."
 
Prior to TCU, Ukaegbu served one year as an Associate Athletics Director for compliance at Virginia Commonwealth University. At VCU, he oversaw all areas of compliance for the department's 17 sport programs, was a member of the senior administrative team, and also served as the sport administrator/supervisor for women's soccer.
 
Ukaegbu spent two years as the Director of Athletic Compliance at Boise State University, while also serving in the compliance offices at Cal State Fullerton (2010-11), American University (2008-10) and Florida Atlantic (2007-08).
 
Throughout his career, Ukaegbu has served on numerous institutional, conference and national committees and organizations including the NCAA Eligibility Center Division I External Advisory Group, the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Thought Leaders Group, and the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Convention Committee, in which he chaired the Networking Subcommittee. He also represented the NCAA Division I membership on the NCAA Eligibility Center Vice President Search Committee in the Fall of 2016.
 
Ukaegbu earned a B.A. in Political Science with a Minor in Pre-Law from the University of Arizona in 2007 and a Master's of Science in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University (Miami, Fla.) in 2008. He and his wife, Katie, have three children, Devin, Rosie and Spencer.