Responsibilities: Merritt serves as the leader of the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund, and in addition, his responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift prospects and donors to the Hokie Club. He also serves as a liaison for the Hokie Clubs in the Roanoke Valley and in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Joined VT Athletics Staff: 1994

At Virginia Tech: Merritt has overseen tremendous fundraising growth both in numbers of donors to the Hokie Club and dollars raised. In addition, he has led fundraising efforts for several capital projects, including the South End Zone Expansion and West Side Expansion of Lane Stadium, the Hahn Hurst Basketball Practice Center, the football locker room facility, as well as athletics' role in the Campaign for Virginia Tech: Invent the Future.

Prior to Virginia Tech: After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1968, Merritt served in the U.S. Army and did a tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon his return to the U.S., he began a successful banking career and was a Hokie Representative before applying for and getting the job as the director of development for intercollegiate athletics in 1994. He has since been promoted to senior director of development for intercollegiate athletics.

Education: Virginia Tech, 1968 (business administration, with a concentration in management)

Of Note: Merritt played tennis for the Virginia Tech men’s tennis team during his undergraduate days and lettered for the Hokies from 1966-68. He served as the captain of the men’s team in 1967.

Merritt has also been active in NAADD (National Association of Athletic Development Directors) and has served a stint as the president of this organization.

Personal: A native of Roanoke, Va., Merritt and his wife, Brynda, live in Blacksburg. They have a grown daughter.

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