BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock announced a pair of promotions on Thursday. Casey Underwood will now serve as associate athletics director for facility maintenance and capital projects, while Cara Walters has been promoted to associate athletics director for game operations. Underwood and Walters possess a long history of service at Virginia Tech and will move into their new roles following the retirement of their longtime friend and co-worker, Tom Gabbard.
"Casey and Cara have served Virginia Tech for many years, they've paid their dues and performed their jobs at very high levels," Babcock said. "They are ready for this expanded role and so deserving of these promotions. Congratulations and 'thank you' to both of them. They are key members of our leadership team and have Southwest Virginia roots and values – and certainly exemplify the Virginia Tech spirit of Ut Prosim."
In 2019, Underwood was honored by the Virginia Tech Athletics Department with the Frank Beamer Staff Excellence Award, given annually to the staff member committed to integrity, service, honor and excellence. A year later, Walters earned that very same distinction.
Underwood has served on the Tech Athletics Facilities staff for more than 20 years, most recently serving as associate athletics director of outside facilities. Underwood has worked on and managed the Virginia Tech grounds crew since graduating from Tech in the 1990s and has been a full-time employee since 1998. Walters has served the department for more than 30 years, coordinating more than 130 regular-season home events each year. She has also been the lead operations manager for numerous ACC and NCAA championship events since beginning her tenure with the Hokies in 1987.