The Business of TCU Athletics with Tom Finn and Jeremiah Donati

Jeremiah Donati runs the business of athletic director at TCU. He shares the art of fundraising $500 million, the changing rules of the NIL, and how his leadership style helps hold people accountable. With 22 sports programs to oversee Jeremiah’s leadership experience is vast and valuable. You will enjoy this great conversation with Jeremiah Donati. 

Talking Points: 

{02:15} Becoming an AD at a major university. 

{05:00} The business behind the AD job  

{11:00} The art of fundraising

{16:00} The changing rules of NIL

{24:30} Jeremy’s leadership style

{32:05} Holding people accountable.

{35:20} Hiring and firing.

Jeremiah Donati Bio:

Jeremiah Donati was appointed as TCU’s director of intercollegiate athletics on December 11, 2017. Previously the Horned Frogs’ deputy athletics director, Donati became the eighth director of intercollegiate athletics in TCU’s history.

Since his arrival at TCU in 2011, Donati has played a major role in enhancing the TCU student-athlete experience through donor-supported facility upgrades totaling nearly $500 million. The most recent project is the $40 million Athletics Human Performance Center Renovation and Expansion project with construction targeted to begin in early 2024. 

Under Donati, the TCU Athletics program has grown to 22 sports, the most in the Big 12 Conference, with the January 2020 announcement of the addition of women’s triathlon which will begin competition in Fall 2023. Donati oversees a coaching staff that has totaled 18 National Coach of the Year honors, including 10 by Sonny Dykes in 2022.  

Donati has also overseen record levels of donor support in Frog Club annual giving and overall athletics giving. The three highest totals in overall athletics giving at TCU came in the four years he oversaw fundraising in the Frog Club. Additionally, TCU reached record levels in men’s basketball attendance as well as setting new marks in ticket and licensing revenues under Donati.

Donati and his wife, Nicole, live in Fort Worth and have two daughters: Colette and Naomi.

Resources and Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JDonati_TCU

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdonati_tcu/

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