Whit Babcock (born June 17, 1970) is the current athletics director at Virginia Tech, a position he has held since 2014. Previously, he was the athletics director at the University of Cincinnati from 2011 to 2014. He previously served in the athletics departments of the University of Missouri, West Virginia University, Auburn University, and James Madison University.[1]
.jpg) Babcock in 2024 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Athletic director |
| Team | Virginia Tech |
| Conference | ACC |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | June 17, 1970 Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | James Madison University (B.S.) West Virginia University (M.S.) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2003-2007 | West Virginia (Assistant AD) |
| 2007-2011 | Missouri (Associate AD) |
| 2011–2014 | Cincinnati |
| 2014–present | Virginia Tech |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Under Armour AD of the Year (2017-18) | |
Early life and education
editBabcock is from Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he attended Harrisonburg High School. He graduated from James Madison University in 1992 where he earned a Bachelor's degree. He graduated from West Virginia University in 1996 with a Master's degree in sports management.[2]
Career
editUniversity of Missouri
editBabcock served as the executive associate athletic director where he oversaw all external relations and development operations. He also served as the administrator for the men's basketball program.[3]
University of Cincinnati
editAt Cincinnati, Babcock made many coaching hires, including the hiring of Tommy Tuberville as the head football coach. He also planned a major $86 million renovation to Nippert Stadium that was completed in 2015. In addition, he opened the Sheakley Athletics Center and launched a scholarship enhancement plan for Olympic sports.[4]
Virginia Tech
editBabcock was announced as Virginia Tech's athletics director on January 24, 2014. During his tenure, he has made many successful coaching hires across various sports, including Buzz Williams, Kenny Brooks, Mike Young, Tony Robie, John Sung, and Sergio López Miró.[2]
In 2016, he revamped the Hokie Club, Virginia Tech Athletic's fundraising program, and implemented the "Drive for 25," with Frank Beamer as its spokesperson, to increase membership of the Hokie Club to 25,000 members.[2]
He has also overseen the new construction and renovations of many of Virginia Tech's athletic facilities. In 2018, Virginia Tech finished an $18 million renovation of English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park.[5] He also oversaw the renovation and expansion of Rector Field House, which added softball and expanded the track and field capabilities of the facility.[6] Under his leadership, Virginia Tech is currently constructing a new $16.2 million Student-Athlete Performance Center, which will provide expanded nutrition, donor-engagement, and recruitment activities for Virginia Tech Athletics.[7][2]
References
edit- ^ Times, Mark Berman The Roanoke. "Virginia Tech hires Cincinnati's Whit Babcock as new athletic director". NewsAdvance.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Whit Babcock - Director of Athletics - Staff Directory". Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Whit Babcock named Virginia Tech athletic director". www.vtnews.vt.edu. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Babcock Announces Departure; UC Names Interim AD". University of Cincinnati Athletics. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ Spedden, Zach (February 28, 2018). "Virginia Tech Baseball Facility Renovation Continues". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Rector Field House". Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Virginia Tech receives $15.2M gift to construct Student-Athlete Performance Center". www.vtnews.vt.edu. Retrieved June 26, 2020.