THE FLATS – Bret Hardin has been named associate athletics director for major gifts at Georgia Tech. He officially began in the role on Friday.
A metro Atlanta native, Hardin returns home after serving as associate director of athletic development at Alabama for more than four years (2019-23). In that role, Hardin worked alongside J Batt, who led the Crimson Tide’s fundraising efforts before being named Georgia Tech’s director of athletics in October 2022.
“As a former collegiate student-athlete from the Atlanta area, Bret understands the fabric of the community and the passion for athletics at the Institute,” said Robby Poteat, executive associate A.D. and executive director of development (athletics) at Georgia Tech. “His work ethic and intangibles are highly spoken of, an through his previous experience, he brings the pace and championship-level preparation and execution that we value. We are incredibly excited to have him join the team.”
Prior to his four-year stint at Alabama, Hardin also held fundraising roles at Southern Miss (assistant director of athletic development – 2018-19) and West Georgia, where he served as the director of the athletics annual fund for a year (2017-18).
He began his career in athletic fundraising as a graduate assistant at Alabama (2015-17).
“I’m incredibly excited to return home to the Atlanta area and Georgia Tech,” Hardin said. “The chance to work alongside J, Robby and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund team is an amazing opportunity. I look forward to meeting the student-athletes, coaches, community and supporters of Georgia Tech athletics and can’t wait to get to work on building out the vision that J has for the Yellow Jackets.”
After graduating from Harrison H.S. in Kennesaw, Hardin attended Marquette, where he was an all-Big East performer in the weight throw and hammer throw and a four-time academic all-Big East honoree. He finished his collegiate career ranked second in Marquette history in the outdoor hammer throw (60.59m) and third in school history in the indoor weight throw (18.84m). He also held Marquette’s freshman record in the outdoor hammer throw (57.03m), a record he set en route to being named the Big East’s Most Outstanding Freshman in 2011.
Hardin graduated from Marquette in 2015 and earned a master’s degree from Alabama in 2016.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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