The director of the School of Hospitality and Business Management signed on the dotted line on Tuesday to become the newest faculty athletics representative since 1999.

Nancy Swanger has worked as a professor at WSU within the School of Hospitality and Business Management since the fall of 2000. She said position of faculty athletics representative really spoke to her. She will be replacing Ken Casavant, who has held the position since 1999. Casavant is retiring from WSU this spring, Swanger said.

“Those are big shoes to fill, so of course I’m nervous,” Swanger said. “But I have no doubt [Casavant] will guide me.”

Swanger is meeting with Casavant in-person for the first time next week to go over the position’s details, but has also talked to him on the phone a few times.

Swanger said Casavant has been “very gracious,” and offered to mentor her before he retires. She said she will officially step into the role on May 16.

Swanger said the position is perfect for her because it combines all of her favorite topics, including hospitality, athletics and working with students.

“I’ve been passionate about sports my entire life,” she said. “If I have the TV on in my house, it’s because there’s some type of athletic event going on.”

Reporting by Sarah Olsen