This July, Jim Schaus became WSU's 16th director of athletics, following Bill Belknap, who retired from the position after six years on the job.
Schaus (pronounced Shouse) has spent nearly 20 years in athletic administration with a strong emphasis in external relations and internal management. He has 12 years experience as an assistant athletic director or higher at the Division I level. He's been senior associate athletic director at the University of Texas at El Paso since 1998.
"I'm excited and pleased that Jim Schaus is joining our team," WSU President Don Beggs says. "He has the experience, ability and enthusiasm to successfully build on our past accomplishments and to provide solid leadership for the future."
Schaus has 16 years of experience in marketing and fund raising. His marketing experience includes being director of marketing for the Washington Redskins and assistant athletic director of marketing and broadcasting at the University of Oregon. In addition, he has managed the marketing departments at Northern Illinois University, University of Cincinnati and utep.
Schaus has demonstrated skills in business and personnel administration. As senior associate athletic director at utep and the University of Cincinnati, he was also involved in budget management.
He has worked directly with or overseen fund-raising departments for more than 11 years at four Division I athletic programs. He was responsible for setting all-time annual fund-raising records and successfully performing capital campaign efforts at the University of Oregon, Northern Illinois University and utep.
According to Schaus, a commitment to gender equity and diversity needs to be a common thread among all staff and coaches in the athletic department.
Jim and his wife, Priscilla, have three children — Kevin, age 11; Diane, age 9; and Laura, age 7.
