7 / 84
5
@VT_WBBall
VTHokieWBB
@HokiesWBB HokiesWBB HokiesWBB
•
W
hit Babcock is in his third year as Virginia Tech’s Director of
Athletics after being formally announced as Tech’s AD on Jan. 24,
2014. The Harrisonburg, Virginia native came back to the state following
stints at Cincinnati, Missouri, West Virginia and Auburn.
Babcock continues making his mark on all facets of the athletics
department, from fan engagement to facilities to fundraising and coaching
hires.
The 2015-16 academic year turned into a busy one for him, as he
made three key coaching hires and oversaw the revamping of the Hokie
Club, the athletics department’s fundraising arm. Babcock brought in
Justin Fuente as the new football coach to succeed legendary Frank
Beamer, who retired after the 2015 season following 29 years as the
head coach of the Hokies. Babcock also tabbed Kenny Brooks to lead
the Virginia Tech women’s basketball program, and John Sung to lead the
women’s lacrosse program.
Brooks comes to Virginia Tech after 14 seasons at James Madison
where he led the Dukes to a 337-122 record and 11 consecutive
postseason appearances including six NCAA bids and five trips to the
WNIT. Over 11 seasons at JMU, Brooks’ squads never won fewer than
24 games, averaging 26.3 wins per season.
In Babcock’s inaugural year at Virginia Tech, he hired head basketball
coach Buzz Williams who took Marquette University to the NCAA
tournament five times in six seasons and the Hokies to the second round
of the NIT in 2016.
On the fundraising front, Babcock and his staff teamed with the staff
of the Hokie Club to launch the “Hokie Scholarship Fund.” The program
is designed to increase funding for scholarships by requiring football and
men’s basketball season ticket holders in certain designated locations to
meet minimum per-seat gift contributions. These contributions will provide
revenue to meet the rising costs of tuition for the school’s more than 550
scholarship student-athletes.
The 2015-16 academic year also
saw Babcock and his staff secure
corporate donations for upcoming
facilities projects. Carilion Clinic
committed $5 million that will be used
for scholarships and improvements
to Cassell Coliseum, and Union
Bank committed $3.5 million toward
improvements to English Field, the
Hokies’ baseball home.
Babcock arrived in Blacksburg
following two and a half years as the
Director of Athletics at the University
of Cincinnati and five years at the
University of Missouri, where he
served as the Executive Associate
Director of Athletics. His background
in fundraising, marketing, promotions,
ticket sales, licensing, and multimedia
partnerships were key attributes in
support of his hiring. In his introductory
press conference, Babcock cited
three guiding principles for his vision
for the athletics department’s future: commitment to comprehensive
excellence, centering the department’s focus on the student-athlete
experience, and engaging the community.
Babcock has been active on local and national speaking circuits. He
has presented before the National Association of Collegiate Directors of
Athletics (NACDA), National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics
Administrators (NACWAA) and the 1-A Athletic Directors Association
annual institute. He is a past president of the National Association of
Athletic Development Directors (NAADD).
Prior to his time at Cincinnati, Babcock’s 22-year career path included
stops at Missouri, West Virginia, Auburn and James Madison.
A student-athlete himself, Babcock lettered four seasons in baseball at
James Madison University and served as team captain his senior year. He
earned his bachelor’s degree from JMU in 1992. In 1996, he received his
master’s in sports management from West Virginia University.
He and his wife, Kelly, have three sons: Andrew, Brett and Eli.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
@WhitBabcock