Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech’s major momentum in athletics hiring and fundraising continues with the addition of Brad Bell as Executive Associate Athletics Director of Advancement and Executive Director of the Hokie Club.
Bell has served the past five years as associate athletic director for major gifts for the University of Georgia Athletic Association, raising tens of millions for a school that won College Football Playoff National Championship games in 2022 and 2023.
His hiring comes as Virginia Tech Athletics has drawn national notice for a flurry of activity since September, when the university formalized a priority and an ambitious budget plan to compete for championships.
Since then, the university has hired head football coach James Franklin to rejuvenate a proud program, announced record-setting gifts to athletics in December and June, and hired Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White to succeed Whit Babcock.
"Brad Bell is exactly the type of leader we wanted to bring to Virginia Tech," said White. "His track record of elevating fundraising operations, securing transformational gifts, and building trusted relationships speaks for itself. Brad understands the opportunities in front of us and shares our vision for what's possible at Virginia Tech. As we continue investing in the future of VT athletics, there is no one better suited to lead the Hokie Club into its next chapter."
Bell has over 14 years of higher education fundraising experience, 12 of them in athletics and two in Student Affairs. Before entering the field, he worked in banking. He earned an MBA from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Furman University. While at Furman, Bell was a four-year letterman in football for the nationally ranked Paladins and served as a co-captain his senior season. Bell and his wife, Meghan, have two sons, Barrett and Jackson.
At Virginia Tech, Bell will oversee all aspects of athletics fundraising, including at the annual, leadership, major, and principal giving levels. He will jointly report to the senior vice president for advancement and the vice president and director of athletics.
“As a Power Four, Division I university we know that athletics fundraising is a high-stakes, high visibility operation that has only become more complex and demanding with all of the changing rules and opportunities of recent years,” said Senior Vice President for Advancement Tom Wamsley. “Brad was an important player on Georgia’s championship-caliber fundraising team. We’re excited to have him draw from that experience and help us elevate our work with the Hokies’ thousands upon thousands of generous, passionate alumni and fans.”
Bell’s first day at Virginia Tech will be Aug. 1.
"I'm incredibly honored to join Virginia Tech and become part of Hokie Nation," Bell said. "I want to thank Brian White, Tom Wamsley, and the search committee for this tremendous opportunity. The passion and commitment surrounding this university, its alumni, and its fans are evident across the country. I look forward to building strong relationships with our donors, supporters, and campus partners while helping position the Hokie Club for continued growth. Through our shared commitment, we'll compete for championships, empower our student-athletes, and strengthen Virginia Tech Athletics for generations to come."
Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board member Horacio Valeiras ’80 served on the hiring committee that conducted a national search for the position.
“This role is so important to the future of Virginia Tech Athletics,” he said. “Brad stood out due to his enthusiasm for our commitment to winning, his energy, and his firsthand insights on what it takes for programs to compete at the very highest levels today. We welcome him to Hokie Nation and are delighted to have him lead the team responsible for securing the resources it takes to be champions.”