Whit Babcock (born June 17, 1970) is the current

athletics director An athletic director (commonly "athletics director" or "AD") is an administrator at many American clubs or institutions, such as colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and r ...

Virginia Tech Virginia Tech (formally the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and informally VT, or VPI) is a Public university, public Land-grant college, land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. It also ...

, a position he has held since 2014. Previously, he was the athletics director at the

University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 44,00 ...

from 2011 to 2014. He previously served in the athletics departments of the

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou, MU, or Missouri) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Universit ...

West Virginia University West Virginia University (WVU) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia. Its other campuses are those of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley, Potomac State College ...

Auburn University Auburn University (AU or Auburn) is a public land-grant research university in Auburn, Alabama. With more than 24,600 undergraduate students and a total enrollment of more than 30,000 with 1,330 faculty members, Auburn is the second largest uni ...

, and James Madison University.

Early life and education

Babcock is from

Harrisonburg, Virginia Harrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. It is also the county seat of the surrounding Rockingham County, although the two are separate jurisdictions. At the 2 ...

, where he attended Harrisonburg High School. He graduated from James Madison University in 1992 where he earned a

Bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...

. He graduated from

in 1996 with a Master's degree in sports management.

Career

University of Missouri

Babcock 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.

University of Cincinnati

At 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.

Virginia Tech

Babcock 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 Kenny Brooks (born December 20, 1968) is the current head coach of the Virginia Tech women's basketball team. Career Brooks played his collegiate basketball for the James Madison Dukes basketball program. During the 2013–2014 season the James ...

, Mike Young, Tony Robie, John Sung, and

Sergio López Miró Sergio López Miró (born August 15, 1968) is a former international top swimmer from Spain, who won the bronze medal in the 200 meters breaststroke at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He competed in college for Indiana University and Americ ...

. 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. 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. He also oversaw the renovation and expansion of Rector Field House, which added softball and expanded the track and field capabilities of the facility. 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.

References

External links

Virginia Tech profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Babcock, Whit 1970 births Living people Cincinnati Bearcats athletic directors James Madison University alumni People from Harrisonburg, Virginia Virginia Tech Hokies athletic directors West Virginia University alumni University of Missouri staff