Derek Grice was named associate athletic director for facilities, operations and events in September 2015 and serves as a member of the GTAA executive leadership team. He is also the sport administrator for men’s and women’s swimming & diving, as well as men’s and women’s tennis.
In his role, Grice provides direct oversight and leadership for the areas of event operations, facilities and grounds. He also serves as the project manager for all of Georgia Tech athletics’ major construction and capital projects, including recent projects such as the Noonan Golf Facility, ACC Network Broadcast & Video Operations Center, football locker room renovation and videoboard upgrades throughout The Flats.
Grice has also been instrumental in Georgia Tech athletics’ master planning process, highlighted in the AI2020 campaign, where he’s developed and overseen more than $88 million of major projects.
Due to its renowned facilities in the heart of Atlanta, he has also helped lead championship-hosting initiatives, including the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional and the 2016 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. Grice was played a key role in Georgia Tech athletics developing partnerships and hosting initiatives with Atlanta United (MLS), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Dream (WNBA) and the GHSA State Basketball Championships.
Prior to his arrival on The Flats, Grice spent three years at the University of North Texas as the senior associate A.D. for facilities and event management. At North Texas, Grice was a member of the athletics’ executive staff and served as sport supervisor for swimming and diving, while also working as the project manager for all major construction and capital projects and managing all gameday operations for home athletic events.
Grice also spent nine years in San Marcos, Texas at Texas State University, where he began as director of athletic facilities and game operations (2003-06) before being named the assistant A.D. for facilities and game operations in 2006. At Texas State, Grice was the sport administrator for the Bobcats’ baseball and softball programs and one of the primary members of the committee that developed “The Drive” – a comprehensive campaign to elevate Texas State to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). During his tenure, Grice oversaw more than $70 million in capital projects.
A native of Hattiesburg, Miss., Grice earned his bachelor’s degree in sports administration from Southern Miss in 2002 and his master’s degree in sports administration from USM in 2003. While at Southern Miss, he was a graduate assistant in event management and internal operations.
Grice and his wife, Shay, currently reside in Smyrna and have a daughter, Aubrey, and a son, Preston.
