#NAADD25th: In honor of NAADD's 25 years of commitment to the development of collegiate athletics, NAADD will be featuring the full testimonials of Past Presidents throughout 2018.
 
Here is the full testimonial from Whit Babcock, NAADD President for 2010-11 and current director of athletics at Virginia Tech.

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A graduate of James Madison University, Babcock began his career in collegiate athletics as a four-year letter winner for the Dukes' baseball program. Babcock began his career in 1996 at his alma mater working in the marketing and development department before taking on development positions at Auburn and West Virginia. In 2007, he traveled to the University of Missouri to take on a role in external operations for the Tigers Athletics Department. Prior to arriving in Blacksburg, Virginia in 2014, Babcock traveled north of the Ohio River to take over a director of athletics at the University of Cincinnati, where he led the Bearcats for two and a half years.
 
Throughout his career, fundraising has been an important tool for Babcock. While at Cincinnati, he proposed a comprehensive vision and capital campaign for athletics facility enhancement, which included an $86 million renovation and expansion to Nippert Stadium. Since stepping on campus as director of athletics at Virginia Tech, Babcock has had an immense impact on Hokies' athletics. In 2016 Babcock restored it's Hokie Club, which raised a school-record $33 million over the course of the latest giving cycle, with $16 million going to the "Hokie Scholarship Fund".
 
His fundraising efforts continued when he formed the "Drive for 25" initiative designed to increase membership in the Hokie Club to 25,000 members. He was influential in securing a $5 million commitment for improvements to Casell Coliseum, and with help of contributions the Hokies athletics department raised an estimated cost of $36 million for renovations to their baseball, track and field, and softball facilities. In addition, he created the "Pylons of Promise", a document that sets forth the university's and the athletics department's commitment to student-athletes during their times as a Hokie.
 
Beyond his NAADD Presidency, Babcock has been recognized for his multitude of accomplishments and in 2016 he was one of five finalists for the AD of the Year honor handed out by SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. Babcock was one of four Under Armour ADOY recipients at the FBS level during the 2018 NACDA Convention in Washington, D.C. In addition to his numerous accolades, he continues to serve NAADD as a Convention speaker, demonstrating his dedication to not only the Association, but the collegiate athletics development industry.
 
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Here's what Whit had to say about NAADD:
Why should someone become a NAADD member?
For many reasons!  Personal and professional development, keeping in tune with the industry, and an opportunity for life-long friendships.
 
What has NAADD meant to you? 
I first attended NAADD in 1996. I was 'raised' on NACDA/NAADD and love the opportunity to still attend and also to give back to the best profession in the country.
 
What impact did your time as NAADD President have on you as a professional? 
I took great pride in it, the opportunity to "leave it better than I found it" so-to-speak…to play a small role in the Convention and programming was extremely rewarding. Like most things, until you are in the middle of it, you have no idea how much work goes into putting on an event like that. I enjoyed the chance to interact with the NACDA/NAADD staff; I have tremendous respect for them.
 
What is your fondest memory of serving as NAADD President? 
There are a few. Introducing my friend Lu Merritt in 2014 as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award was very special. Getting to know the fellow 'Presidents' from the other NACDA organizations was also enjoyable and beneficial to my career. The trip to Marco Island isn't too bad either for the winter meetings! 
 
How do you see NAADD progressing in the next five years? Next ten years?
I don't see the momentum slowing down. The pressure and demand for expertise in the development area is not going away, in fact, it's increasing exponentially. The membership and Convention attendance numbers speak for themselves.  Such exciting times in our profession!  The increased need (and competition) for private dollars will call for an even higher level of competence, professionalism, inclusion and development skillset. No organization out there is better to learn from and advance in this profession than NAADD. 
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Check @NAADDevelopment next week as #NAADD25th Past President Testimonials continue with 2013-14 President, Jim Senter, current director of athletics at UTEP, and 1998-99 President, Carol Oakland.

Stay up-to-date on the 25th Anniversary celebration and all things NAADD related by following @NAADDevelopment on Twitter by using the hashtag #NAADD25th and #PastPresidentTestimonial.

About NAADD: NAADD is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of athletics development and fund raising. For more information about NAADD, please visit www.naadd.com. NAADD is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 54th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.