• Past UD Athletics Development Directors

Dr. Scarlett K. Schmidt, who previously worked in athletics at Virginia Tech and Ohio State, begins her fourth year as University of Delaware Director of Development for Athletics in 2010-11.

Schmidt, a native of Clarksburg, WV., is responsible for the fundraising activities for the University’s 22-sport athletics program, identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospective donors and overseeing the UD Athletic Fund.

She earned her bachelor of science degree in marketing education in 1985, her master’s degree in sport management administration in 1992, and her doctorate degree in education administration and higher education in 1996, all from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).

Schmidt most recently served as Director of Annual Giving for the Buckeye Club at Ohio State in 1996-99. While at Ohio State, she served as the Director of the Annual Fund and was part of the Athletic Development team which both raised record totals in 1998 and also secured a single major gift of $2 million for naming of the Younkin Success Center.

In her role at Ohio State, she was responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gift prospects, planning annual fundraising activities, assisted with the Jerome Schottenstein Center seat licensing sales program, coordinated Buckey Club donor receptions, and co-authored the Buckeye Beat, the official newsletter of Ohio State athletics.

Prior to Ohio State, Schmidt served as Athletic Development Manager for the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund, serving in that capacity from 1993 until 1996. While at Virginia Tech, she identified, cultivated, and soliciated annual and major gift prospects, trained and supported over 450 fundraising volunteers, organized new geographic fundraising groups to expand the fundraising base, co-coordinated the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund, authored a graduate pamphlet designed to recruit young alumni as members of the VTAF, and co-authored the VTAF Athletic Fund Newsletter.

In addition, she has served as a presenter at CASE Conference and at the National Association of Athletic Development Directors Conference.

Schmidt resides in Middletown, Del. with her husband, Jon, and daughter, Sydney. Jon is a Plant Controller with Basell, North America. She volunteers with fundraising efforts at Sydney’s elementary school.

Past UD Athletics Development Directors
Dr. Scarlett Schmidt (2008-Present)
Kathleen Houghton (1989-2008)

Updated 6/15/10