[ Sometimes, Shawn writes in the third-person. :) ]
Shawn K. Sullivan was appointed the sixth executive director of Running USA in October of 2025 following two years as the Horizon League’s Associate Commissioner for Branding, Messaging and Strategic Initiatives in November, 2023.
The move to the Horizon League came on the heels of nearly nine years at Ball State University, when in January, 2023, after stints as director, assistant athletic director, associate athletic director and deputy director of athletics, he departed to explore new opportunities.
In addition, he is a voice professional, sports business consultant and has served as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University and Roosevelt University.
From July of 2011 - July of 2013 Sullivan was director of sales & marketing with Northwestern University Athletics.
During the previous four years, as assistant athletic director at UIC, Sullivan oversaw marketing, ticketing and game operations for all 18 of the Flames programs.
Before returning to his alma mater, Sullivan was the community relations manager for the Chicago Rush arena football club from 2003-2005.
From late 2001-2003, Sullivan worked in the sports information office at UIC--first as sports information assistant before being promoted to assistant sports information director.
During his collegiate years, Sullivan apprenticed with the Flames, Rush, CLTV and CAPRI Events while also working at Vertel’s, a running specialty store, and with CLIF Bar.
The Kankakee, Illinois native graduated in 2001 from UIC with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. He was captain and multiple letter winner for the Flames cross country and track & field teams after winning the Class A high school state championship in the 1600 meter run for Bishop McNamara.
Sullivan currently performs public address announcing duties for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. Additionally, he provides event announcing services for local, regional and national road racing/triathlon events/track & field meets, professional pickleball competitions and a wide variety of voiceover opportunities including NBA2K. In his 25+ years of announcing, Sullivan has announced NFL, NBA, WNBA, WPS/NWSL, USL, AFL, NCAA, high school and grammar school events covering almost every sport and totaling more than 1,500 live events. He resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Molly (Senior Woman Administrator/Deputy Athletic Director at Butler University), along with their children, Liam, Quinn, Mary Kate, James and Patrick.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: Indiana Fever, Oklahoma City Thunder, Northwestern Athletics (Nick Brilowski), UIC Athletics (Steve Woltmann), Indiana Pacers, Muncie Star-Press, Norman Timonera, Marc Lebryk, Justin Casterline, MarathonFoto