Vanderbilt athletics announced the hire of Derek Grice as deputy athletic director for external engagement and revenue generation on Tuesday. The hire comes nearly two months after Tommy McClelland left Vanderbilt to serve as Rice’s athletic director.
“His energy, passion and expertise have made him an effective leader in college athletics,” Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee wrote via X. “I’m excited to welcome Derek and his family to Nashville!”
Grice will be integral in Vanderbilt’s $300 million Vandy United campaign, which will feature improvements to Hawkins Field and the development of the Frist Athletics Village.
“I’m grateful to Vice Chancellor Lee and Chancellor Diermeier for the opportunity to be a part of this prestigious university at such a transformational time for Vanderbilt Athletics,” Grice said in a press release. “Serving student-athletes and the alumni and supporters who rally around them and help them grow has been a calling. What we create today for these young people shapes all of our futures.”
Grice comes to Nashville after serving as the executive associate athletic director for the San Diego State Aztecs. He was influential in the negotiating process of San Diego State’s 10-year multimedia rights agreement to increase brand exposure and sponsorship revenue opportunities. He also was the primary team administrator for the Final Four-bound 2023 San Diego State men’s basketball team.
Before working at San Diego State, Grice was associate director for facilities, operations and events at Georgia Tech. The Mississippi native was the project manager for all of Georgia Tech’s major athletic construction projects, including the football locker room renovation and establishment of the Noonan Golf facility.
Grice served as senior associate director of athletics for facilities and event management at the University of North Texas for three years before working at Georgia Tech. In his role, Grice was a part of a committee that helped elevate North Texas to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Grice’s career began with a nine-year stay at Texas State University, where he served as director of athletic facilities and game operations before being named assistant athletic director.
“I’m so excited to come to a place where, with the ongoing and overwhelming support of a campaign like Vandy United just one example, the entire university community is committed to working together to create a student-athlete and game day experience unlike anything else in the country,” Grice said.
