Richard Kilwien joined the University of Washington Athletics Staff in May of 2006 as Associate Director of Athletics for Communications.
Kilwien is responsible for managing the department’s communications unit and implementing a media and public relations strategy for Husky athletics. He also oversees the development of the UW’s official athletic website, serves as the liaison to the department’s multi-media partners (ISP Sports, CBSSports.com & FSN Northwest), and serves as the department’s primary spokesperson.
Prior to Washington, Kilwien spent six years at Santa Clara University and spearheaded the formation of the external services area, tying media relations and marketing functions into one unit and reorganizing all corporate sales efforts. He also expanded the department’s official athletic Website, radio network, and publishing agreements and expanded the department’s merchandise sales program.
Kilwien came to Santa Clara following a stint in marketing and communications at the FANSonly Network (now CBSSports.com College Network), the largest college sports network of official athletic Websites on the Internet.
Prior to FANSonly, Kilwien served as the assistant director of athletics for media relations at his alma mater, Texas Tech. While a member of the Red Raider athletic staff, he conducted a successful campaign to promote Byron Hanspard for the Dr Pepper Doak Walker Award and sixth-place finish in the voting for the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Kilwien also was responsible for serving as a liaison with the department’s marketing group and was the primary spokesperson during a comprehensive NCAA investigation. He also was instrumental in launching the department’s first Internet Website in August, 1996, and designing the media operations areas in the $62 million United Spirit Arena.
Following his graduation from Texas Tech in 1988, Kilwien began his career in college athletics as an intern and media relations assistant at the University of Houston. From 1990-92, Kilwien served as an assistant director of sports information at Duke University before spending two years as an assistant director of media relations at the (now-defunct) Southwest Conference. Following the dissolution of the SWC, Kilwien spent two years as director of media relations and promotions at Raycom Sports in Charlotte, N.C.
Kilwien married the former Karen Yee, a standout college basketball player at Houston, in December of 1990. The couple has a son, Preston.