Kathryn Dillin

CREATING MEANINGFUL GAMEDAY MOMENTS AT EVERY TURN…
Shadowing a football game at Wake Forest was a pivotal moment that helped launch Kathryn’s career, one fueled by curiosity and drive. What began as a simple opportunity to observe quickly grew into a passion for the behind-the-scenes work that brings college athletics to life. Kathryn has since held roles at Wake Forest, UNC Asheville, the American Athletic Conference, University of Minnesota, Auburn (while earning her master’s degree), and Northwestern before joining Virginia Tech three years ago.

At Virginia Tech, Kathryn focuses on creating meaningful, memorable experiences that go beyond the scoreboard. From surprise military homecomings to honoring a 99-year-old military veteran, she finds joy in making each event feel personal and purposeful. Whether in front of 66,000 fans or behind the scenes, her goal is to honor moments that matter—bringing warmth, strategy, and intention to every detail.

In a fast-changing industry, Kathryn’s biggest challenge is meeting rising expectations with limited resources. She emphasizes the importance of communicating the full value of the gameday experience: pyrotechnics, traditions, flyovers, and more. As the industry continues to evolve, Kathryn remains committed to strategic thinking, purposeful storytelling, and over-communicating value to fans, making every gameday in Blacksburg about so much more than just football.

BEYOND THE EVENTS:
Outside of work, Kathryn finds joy in spending time with her cat, Lionel, and her family—especially her niece—and enjoys puzzles, books, and learning new things.

What inspires Kathryn most is the people—the incredible capacity we all have to create a positive impact. She’s driven by the light that sports can bring to others, even in their darkest moments. To her, sports are both a great equalizer and a powerful escape, and she’s passionate about continuing to create those moments of joy and connection.

A year ago, Kathryn stepped into her new role and faced the pressure of running Enter Sandman for the first time. She prepped endlessly and got through Game 1 feeling good—until she saw a Reddit post calling out that the second rendition hadn’t faded for the traditional a cappella moment. No one had told her it was supposed to. It was humbling, but a reminder that even small missteps aren’t the end of the world. A post-it on her desk reads “Still shooting 95%”—a mantra she lives by.