Tim Collins was named as the 15th athletic director in Eastern Washington history on June 9, 2023 after serving as the senior associate athletics director for development at Fresno State in California from 2018-2023. He brought more than 18 years of intercollegiate athletics experience both in executive leadership positions and as a college basketball coach.
"Tim Collins brings an impressive track record of leadership, collaboration and fundraising that will help strengthen Eastern athletics and ensure the success of students on and off the field," says President McMahan.
"I want to thank President McMahan for trusting in my ability to lead and steward an athletics department with such a strong history and vibrant connection to our campus and community," says Collins. "As the search process unfolded, it was clear to me that her vision included a strong athletics department that was representative of a thriving campus. Our department will have an unwavering commitment to the holistic development of our 300-plus student athletes, and we will take every opportunity to serve and represent the EWU campus – from our students to our faculty and staff."
At Fresno, Collins was a member of the athletic department's executive staff that implements strategic direction, establishes academic and compliance standards, ensures equity, fosters inclusion, defines budget expectations, and promotes student-athlete welfare for 18 NCAA Division I varsity programs.
Collins was also responsible for leading and managing all revenue development and fundraising activities for the Department of Athletics, including supervision of fundraising initiatives in the Bulldog Foundation. Since 2018, Fresno State Athletics has set the four highest annual fund membership records. Additionally, Fresno State Athletics recently unveiled a $250M+ facility master plan.
Collins recently served on the executive committee member for the National Association for Athletic Development Directors, an affiliate of NACDA.
Prior to his time at Fresno State, Collins was the Associate Athletics Director for Development at the University of Wyoming from 2013-18. Collins was key in raising the necessary resources for numerous capital improvement projects, elevating the annual fund and enhancing the student-athlete experience at Wyoming. The projects include renovations to the Arena-Auditorium, locker room renovations for volleyball , along with track and Field. He also helped fundraise for the Mick & Susie McMurry High Altitude Performance Center.
Collins started his professional career as the Director of Basketball Operations for Call State Fullerton from 2005-06. He then became the assistant coach at Chadron State College from 2006-08, moving to Lewis In Clark State College as an assistant from 2008-10. In 2010, Collins became the assistant coach at Black Hills State, before moving into an administrative in 2011 as the Assistant Athletics Director for Development and Fundraising.
Collins received his bachelor's degree in humanities, with an emphasis in political science, from Loyola Marymount in 2005. He completed a master's degree in organizational management and sport administration from Chadron State in 2008. Collins began his professional career as an assistant basketball coach, which included two years at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.
He and his wife, Renee, have two children, daughter Kennedy and son James.
