Football ∙ Center

Center High School graduate Dan Radakovich has risen from the ranks of a young college athletic administrator to the lofty role of Director of Athletics at one of the nation’s most prominent institutions of higher learning: Georgia Tech University. He began his duties in that position in February, 2006. Dan played football at Center, but knee injuries kept him from excelling on the gridiron. Still, he was known for his play as a tight end and punter for the Trojans. After high school, Dan attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he also played football. The knee problems continued, but he did earn a letter in 1977 before becoming a student coach. He graduated with a degree in finance in 1980, and got his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1982 from the University of Miami. In 1992, he completed the Sports Management Institute’s Executive Educational Program, also at Miami. His ascent began in 1983 when he was named Athletics Business Manager at Miami, where he stayed for two years. In 1989, he became Associate Athletics Director at Long Beach State, and five years later took the same position at South Carolina. He had his first stint as Athletic Director at American University in the 2000-2001 school year. In 2001, Dan became the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Louisiana State University. He was responsible for the day-to-day operation of an athletic budget of more than $50 million, encompassing 20 sports and more than 450 student athletes. LSU enjoyed great success while he was there, including winning a National Championship in football and reaching the Final Four in basketball, with seven other teams in top five national rankings. He also was involved in the school’s massive capital improvement initiative. At Georgia Tech, Dan has brought a new vision to the program. The university, under his control, has undergone several facility upgrades as well as incorporating innovative changes to the department’s fundraising inventory. He as already seen the women’s tennis team capture an NCAA Championship, and the football program recently competed in its 11th consecutive bowl game. In 2005, Dan was inducted into the Center High School Alumni Hall of Fame. He used that experience to start and Alumni Scholarship Fund at the school, which was his way of generating resources to help others. Just the seventh Athletic Director in the 105 year history of Georgia Tech sports, Dan resides in Atlanta with his wife Marcie and their two children, Christian, and Grant.

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