Ryan Alpert named Georgia Tech athletic director

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech has named Ryan Alpert as its next athletic director, choosing a leader known for growing college sports programs and increasing revenue. 

Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera stated that the hire reflects the university’s effort to enhance its athletic programs to align with its academic reputation.

“Ryan Alpert is a dynamic, forward-thinking leader who understands what it takes to build a winning culture on a strong financial foundation,” Cabrera said in a statement. “He brings deep operational expertise and a clear passion for student-athlete development. We are thrilled to welcome him to Georgia Tech.”

Alpert currently serves as senior deputy athletics director and chief revenue officer at the University of Tennessee. At Tennessee, he helped the athletic department reach its highest-ever finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup and win three straight SEC All-Sports Championships.

He also oversaw major revenue growth, with Tennessee Athletics boosting its annual revenue by more than $100 million since 2022. In fiscal year 2024, the department reported a record $228 million in operating revenue and raised nearly $140 million through the Tennessee Fund.

Alpert played a key role in the Neyland Entertainment District project in Knoxville. That initiative is revitalizing the riverfront area near Neyland Stadium and improving the game-day experience for fans.

“I’m incredibly grateful to President Cabrera and the search committee for the opportunity,” Alpert said. “As college athletics continues in a period of rapid transformation, I’m excited about all the Institute has to offer and what we can accomplish together.”

Alpert brings nearly two decades of experience in collegiate athletics. Before Tennessee, he was deputy athletic director at the University of Missouri and Florida Atlantic University, where he led record-setting fundraising campaigns. He also worked at the University of Memphis, helping secure some of the largest gifts in that school’s athletics history.

Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Alpert earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree from the University of Memphis. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters.

“My family and I can’t wait to get to Atlanta and join the Yellow Jackets,” Alpert exclaimed.

Alpert is expected to begin his new role later this month.