WHEREAS, Bill Chaves went to Saint Thomas University, earning a degree in Sports Administration before eventually earning two master's degrees, one in Health, Physical Education, and Leisure, and a second one in Sports Management; and

WHEREAS, After serving as Sports Information Director at Quinnipiac University, Assistant Athletic Director at University of Massachusetts — Amherst, the Northeastern University's Director of External Affairs for the athletic department, and Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs at Baylor University; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Mr. Bill Chaves took over leadership of the Athletic Department of Eastern Washington University and, under that leadership, the entire Eagle family experienced the magical 2010 football season where the Eastern Washington University Eagles won the Division 1 FCS National Championship; and

WHEREAS, During his time as Athletic Director, the University has enjoyed unparalleled success on and off the field and has become known as a department where student-athletes, coaches, assistants and all involved are considered and treated as "family"; and

WHEREAS, During Mr. Chaves 10 years at EWU he was twice awarded the National Athletic Director of the Year Award and served on numerous Big Sky Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association committees, including the prestigious NCAA Division I Council and as chair of the NCAA Administration Cabinet; and

WHEREAS, Chaves also provided the initial idea for an intimidating red football field, now known as the Inferno, which became an icon for the university and gave Eastern the first red turf in America; and

WHEREAS, Aside from fostering athletic greatness, Chaves has also placed a high importance on academic achievement, as Eastern in 2010 won its first Big Sky Conference Presidents' Cup award for athletic success, graduation rates, and overall grade point average, and Eastern quickly jumped to the top of the Presidents' Cup academic standings with an average grade point average of 3.24; and

WHEREAS, Eastern also won the Presidents' Cup in 2015 and 2016 and the 297 students currently involved in Eastern athletics now hold an average GPA of 3.37; and

WHEREAS, Student-athletes at Eastern have earned numerous Big Sky Player of the Year and National honors during Chaves' time at EWU, and Chaves has hired several coaches who have gone on to be individually recognized for their achievement and dedication to Eastern sports and student-athletes; and

WHEREAS, Chaves has started numerous fundraising initiatives to keep up with other Division I schools, and most recently was able to install new videoboards in Roos Field and Reese Court, and has upgraded seating options in Reese Court and locker rooms for the university's 14 athletic programs; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Chaves, Eastern has added a new Student-Athlete Academic Success Center at the EWU Special Events Pavilion, provided a new throwing area for the track and field program, and improved the strength and conditioning center; and

WHEREAS, The Eagle Athletic Fund reached a record milestone of over 2,000 members, and Chaves has negotiated media agreements for Eastern radio and TV broadcasts, as well as third-party sponsorship sales agreements that help support EWU athletics; and

WHEREAS, Chaves has helped fund Eastern athletics through scheduling football games against several NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision schools, including Washington, Washington State, Oregon, and Oregon State, which marks the first time in over a century that Eastern has played its in-state rivals on the gridiron;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate honor Bill Chaves and his family for their dedication to the Eastern Washington University community, collegiate academics, and the future of Washington sports; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Bill Chaves and the Eastern Washington University Athletics Department.