Fundraising and selling football tickets will be Cohen’s top priority — the athletic department reported a budget deficit of $863,136 for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
She grew up during the heyday of the Don James era, infatuated with the Huskies, relishing Saturdays at Husky Stadium with her family and her favorite team.
“My favorite tradition on game day was going down to the tunnel and barking at the opponent. I would legitimately bark,” Jennifer Cohen said. “This place,” she added, “is woven into every fabric of my being of who I am.”
The Husky Marching Band lined a hallway and played the school’s fight song as Cohen took center stage Wednesday, a raucous introduction for Washington’s new athletic director.