Western State University has hired Jim Shank as its new athletic director, the school announced Tuesday, bringing in a veteran administrator with 15 years of experience overseeing Division II programs.
Shank, 47, comes to Western State after spending the past six years as associate athletic director at Mountain View College, where he helped increase athletic department revenue by 23% and oversaw facility upgrades totaling $4.2 million.
Proven Track Record in Budget Management
The former quarterback at Central Plains University brings extensive experience in athletic administration and fundraising. During his tenure at Mountain View, Shank managed an annual budget of $8.7 million while supervising 18 varsity sports programs.
“Jim’s background in both student-athlete development and financial stewardship makes him the ideal candidate to lead our athletic department into the next decade,” Western State President Dr. Sarah Martinez said in a statement.
Shank replaces longtime athletic director Mike Thompson, who retired in June after 12 years at the helm. Thompson oversaw Western State’s transition from Division III to Division II status in 2019, a move that increased scholarship opportunities but also elevated competitive and financial pressures.
Immediate Challenges Await
The new athletic director inherits several pressing issues, including a $380,000 budget shortfall projected for the current fiscal year and aging facilities that haven’t seen major renovations since 2008. The football program, which went 3-8 last season, particularly needs attention after three consecutive losing campaigns.
Western State’s 14 varsity programs compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, where the Pioneers have struggled to maintain competitive balance across multiple sports. The men’s basketball team finished last in conference standings two of the past three seasons.
“We have tremendous potential here, and I’m excited to work with our coaches and staff to unlock that,” Shank said during Tuesday’s press conference. “My first priority is ensuring our student-athletes have the resources they need to succeed both athletically and academically.”
Building Program Momentum
Shank’s appointment comes as Western State seeks to capitalize on recent bright spots. The women’s soccer program reached the conference semifinals last fall, while the baseball team posted its first winning record in five years with an 18-15 mark in 2024.
The new athletic director previously served as compliance coordinator at Prairie State College and spent three years as an assistant football coach at his alma mater. He holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Metropolitan University.
“Jim understands the unique challenges facing mid-major athletic programs,” said Mountain View Athletic Director Rebecca Chen, who worked with Shank for four years. “He’s particularly skilled at maximizing limited resources while maintaining high standards for student-athlete support.”
Western State’s athletic department employs 34 full-time staff members and operates with an annual budget of $6.2 million. The school’s 3,200 students support athletic programs that have produced 12 Academic All-Americans over the past five years.
Shank officially begins his duties on January 15, giving him three months to prepare for spring sports seasons and begin planning for the 2025-26 academic year. His five-year contract includes performance incentives tied to academic achievement rates and fundraising benchmarks.
