Keli M. Zinn

Keli Zinn was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. She was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2020.

A native of Petersburg, W.Va., Zinn earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sport management from West Virginia University.

She began her career in collegiate athletics as a compliance assistant with the BIG EAST Conference before serving as assistant athletics director for compliance at the University of Maryland. Zinn joined the athletics department at West Virginia University in 2010 and rose to the position of deputy athletics director and chief operating officer. She also served as interim athletics director in 2014, becoming the first woman to lead the department. During her tenure, she oversaw governance, compliance, and operations, helping guide the program through its transition into the Big 12 Conference.

In 2022, Zinn became the executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer at Louisiana State University, where she supervised all 21 varsity programs and played a leading role in revenue generation, capital projects, and strategic initiatives. She helped advance LSU’s strategy for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), secured major media and apparel agreements, and oversaw athletic success that included four national championships and three Southeastern Conference titles.

Zinn was named Director of Athletics at Rutgers University in 2025. In this role, she oversees all aspects of the department and continues her track record of leadership at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.

Nationally recognized for her contributions, Zinn was selected as one of Sports Business Journal’s Game Changers in 2016 and received its Forty Under 40 Award in 2019. She was also featured on the cover of West Virginia Executive Magazine’s 2022 Young Guns Class.