My family and I had never experienced anything like the Purple Reign of the Washington-Oregon game last month. The delirious joy, the deafening cheers, the overwhelming pride of Husky Nation. It affirmed every reason we had for wanting to come to Washington: This is a place that can win in everything.
As exhilarating as that victory was, the scoreboard is only one measure of success. With the lives and futures of our student-athletes as our North Star, we can win competitively, academically, socially and financially. And we can do it all while making you proud not just of the wins, but of how we win — with integrity and class and hearts full of gratitude.
That’s my promise to you as I begin my tenure as Washington’s new Athletic Director. I can make that vow with confidence because of you. As a donor to Husky Athletics, you understand that you’re investing in so much more than victorious teams. You’re providing an experience to 650 student-athletes that will equip them with the skills and characteristics they’ll need to succeed for the rest of their lives. With you by our side, we cannot fail.
Sure, there are challenges ahead. But, oh, what opportunities lie ahead as well!
As we prepare to enter the grander stage of the Big Ten, we must invest in things at higher levels than ever before. There’ll be more travel, even more academic support, pressure to keep up with technological advances, tougher competition to attract and retain the best coaches. Your generous support will help us knock down every obstacle that stands in the way of student-athlete success.
I’m fortunate to take the helm of an Athletic Department that’s humming with a stellar staff and with committed donors like you. And my wife Amy and I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to raise our two children — Elle, 10, and William, 9 — in such a caring community and with such incredible student-athletes as their role models.
My wife and kids returned to New Orleans after the Huskies’ victory against Oregon to tie up school and the move. William wore his Michael Penix Jr. jersey to school three days in a row. That pretty much sums up our family’s experience so far. We are all in, and I’m thankful you are as well.
Go Dawgs!
Troy Dannen
UW Director of Athletics
