Arin Dunn Hired as Assistant Commissioner

AURORA — The Colorado High School Activities Association has announced the hiring of Arin Dunn as an Assistant Commissioner.

Dunn, who was born and raised in Colorado and has deep roots in the state, comes to CHSAA from Wake Forest University, where he was the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development, Administration and Name, Image & Likeness (NIL).

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Arin Dunn as our new Assistant Commissioner,” CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger said. “Arin brings a wealth of experience from his work at the NCAA level and a deep commitment to education-based athletics and activities. His leadership in major events, insight into student development and NIL, and his broad perspective across multiple sports and activities will be a tremendous asset to our team and our membership.

“What makes this especially meaningful is that Arin is coming home to Colorado. His deep connection to this state, combined with his passion for making a difference in the lives of student participants, coaches, and school leaders, makes him a natural fit for our team. We’re excited not only to have Arin on board, but to welcome his entire family into the CHSAA family.”

Dunn brings extensive experience in student-athlete development and sport administration back to Colorado with him. A two-time all-state honorable mention performer at Broomfield High School — where he was a key part of the 2004 team that won a state championship — Dunn then went on to play basketball at Colorado State University before a brief professional stint.

Since his playing days, Dunn has spent 12 years in athletic administration across four Division I college institutions, serving on senior leadership teams at Wake Forest, the University of Texas, and Kansas State after starting his career at Colorado State University.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Colorado High School Activities Association as an Assistant Commissioner,” Dunn said. “As a proud Colorado native who grew up participating in CHSAA activities, this opportunity holds a truly special place in my heart. The chance to come home and contribute to the very organization that shaped so many of my formative experiences is deeply meaningful to me and my family.

“I want to sincerely thank Commissioner Mike Krueger for this opportunity and for the trust he has placed in me to serve the CHSAA membership. I am genuinely humbled by his belief in my ability to contribute to the mission of the Association, and I am energized to work under his leadership alongside such a talented and committed team.”

Throughout his career, Dunn has led cross-functional teams and advised on high-impact strategic initiatives such as NIL, revenue sharing, conference realignment and the transfer portal. He also has a strong track record of shaping positive, inclusive and equitable experiences for student-athletes and coaches, as he’s created nationally recognized NIL and holistic student-athlete development programs at Texas (EVER TEXAS and LEVERAGE) and Wake Forest. He has also managed large operating budgets, secured vendor contracts and event sponsorship, advised on sport governance, student-athlete development and inclusive excellence.

In addition, he has spearheaded the bidding, planning and execution of championship events, served as a site administrator for NCAA Championships and served in key leadership roles on ACC, SEC and Big 12 conference-wide committees, including as Vice Chair of the ACC Men’s Tennis Committee. Meanwhile, he provided sport oversight of championship caliber teams as his men’s tennis team at Wake Forest went 40-1, en route to winning the ACC Regular Season Championship, as well as the indoor and outdoor national championships, and his men’s cross country team won its second ACC Cross Country Championship in as many years and had top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships twice in three years.

To complement his day-to-day work, Dunn has been an active leader on several conference-wide committees with a focus on sport administration, student-athlete experience and well-being, and inclusive excellence. His service includes leadership roles on the ACC Student-Athlete Development Directors group, the ACC UNITE Administrators Committee, the Big 12 Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee (ADID) Committee, and other cross-functional working groups dedicated to advancing student-athlete support, holistic development, and competitive success.

Dunn has also been deeply engaged in NCAA Leadership Development programming, serving as a selected facilitator for prestigious national leadership, career, and character development initiatives, including the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum and the NCAA Career in Sports Forum. He has participated in the NCAA ADID Summit and was selected to attend the highly competitive NCAA Whitcomb Leadership Institute for rising athletic administrators. Additionally, his selection as an NCAA Innovations in Research and Practice Grant recipient underscores his commitment to cultivating inclusive, student-centered environments that empower student-athletes to thrive both within and beyond sport.

In his role with CHSAA, Dunn will oversee field hockey, flag football, ice hockey, boys and girls lacrosse and boys and girls soccer in his first year.

“CHSAA’s mission — seeking excellence in academics, activities, and athletics while creating positive, equitable, and educational experiences for all student participants — resonates deeply with me,” Dunn continued. “I am passionate about supporting programs that not only develop students athletically but also nurture their character, leadership, and well-being. I firmly believe that participation in education-based activities has the power to transform lives, just as it did for me.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with our schools, coaches, and administrators to ensure that all students across Colorado have the opportunity to thrive in safe, supportive, and inspiring environments. It is a privilege to now give back to the communities and the association that helped shape who I am.”

Dunn, who has a foundation of educational-based activities in his DNA, comes from parents who were both educators. His mother, Gilda, was a teacher, and his father, Terry served as both a coach and administrator, leading the boys basketball program at Harrison High School from 1982 to 1990 while also serving as the school’s athletic and activities director. He later coached at Sierra High School from 2010 to 2024. Between his high school coaching tenures, Terry built an extensive collegiate coaching career, including assistant coaching roles at the Air Force Academy, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado, before serving as the head coach at Dartmouth College for four and a half seasons.

In addition, Dunn’s wife, Katie, has also been involved in higher-ed administration. She has experience working with Student-Athlete Advisory Committees, the NCAA Transfer Portal, team travel, community engagement, academic advising and scholarship opportunities. Together, they have one young son, Reece.

“My family and I are excited to join the CHSAA family,” Dunn stated. “I am eager to get to work in service of our membership, our student participants, and the continued pursuit of excellence across the state.”

Dunn’s official first day will be Monday, July 7.