Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock announced Thursday that John Dooley is joining the staff as special assistant to the director of athletics.
Dooley, who served as CEO of the Virginia Tech Foundation from 2012-21 and possesses an extensive background in fundraising and development, will work with Babcock and the Hokie Club as well as Tech coaches and staff as a resource to support the $400 million Reach for Excellence campaign launched in April 2021.
“John will serve as a valuable asset for us as we seek to reach the lofty objectives set forth in the Reach for Excellence campaign,” Babcock said. “John’s long history of fostering relationships with alumni, donors, and other key constituents to broaden the impact of Virginia Tech makes him uniquely qualified to serve in this newly created role.
“For nearly 40 years, John has been very personally invested in Virginia Tech’s spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),” Babcock said. “We look forward to his contributions in this latest role at Tech. John has positively impacted generations of Hokies, and this is one more opportunity for him to make a lasting impact on the greater Virginia Tech community.”
As part of his work on the Reach for Excellence campaign, Dooley will be charged with assisting Babcock and Tech Athletics with the planned renovations to Cassell Coliseum and helping reach the associated fundraising target of $75 million for that project. In addition to serving as the arena for Virginia Tech men’s and women’s basketball, Cassell also hosts home matches for Tech’s volleyball and wrestling programs.
Dooley will also collaborate with men’s basketball head coach Mike Young and his staff to develop and engage with top-level boosters of that program. In addition, Dooley will play a role in Tech’s community outreach efforts as the Hokies seek to enlist as many individuals as possible to participate in the Reach for Excellence campaign.
“I appreciate Whit and President Sands extending me the opportunity to assist with the Reach for Excellence campaign,” Dooley said. “My passion for Virginia Tech, its mission, and its people has never wavered over the years.
”I enthusiastically endorse the vision of excellence outlined in the Reach for Excellence campaign and I’m confident reaching these goals will contribute to future success of Tech Athletics,” Dooley said. “I can’t wait to engage with my many friends and colleagues across Hokie Nation as we all join together to support this great cause.”
Dooley’s long association with Virginia Tech began in 1982 and has included many diverse roles and important initiatives over the years. As the CEO of the Virginia Tech Foundation, he was involved in a wide range of projects that continue to make an impact on the economy of the commonwealth, as well as numerous endeavors that have raised the profile of Virginia Tech regionally, nationally, and globally.