NEWARK, DE -- Gerald J. “Jerry” Oravitz, who has served in the University of Delaware athletics program since 1997, including the last three years as Director of Football Operations, has been promoted to the new position of Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics, UD Director of Athletics Edgar N. Johnson announced Thursday.

Oravitz (at right), 44, will continue his duties as Director of Football Operations and Delaware Stadium game operations, but will also have increased responsibilities assisting Johnson with special projects and fundraising projects within the unit.

“Jerry is a valuable member of our administrative team and his new responsibilities will allow him to make additional contributions to our athletics program for the benefit of all of our student-athletes,” said Johnson in making the announcement. “As a director of football operations, Jerry is certainly one of the best in the nation at this level and we are fortunate to have him on our staff. We are pleased that he will bring that experience to other responsibilities within the department.”

A 1984 graduate of Salisbury (MD) University, Oravitz is responsible for managing the day-to-day administrative operations of the football program which includes providing support to student-athletes with university matters, budget management, coordinating on campus recruiting needs, and organizing community projects and relations. He was appointed to the staff by head coach K.C. Keeler in January, 2005 after serving as operations associate for the UD athletics department since 1997.

Oravitz is also is responsible for coordinating football practice and Delaware Stadium gameday operations, home and away game management, team travel, and assisting Keeler with program fund-raising events and other football program projects. Additionally, he coordinates the annual Rich Gannon Blue Hen Football Golf Classic, the premiere fundraising event for UD football. He also serves as an instructor in the UD Sports Management Curriculum which began in September, 2002.

He earned his degree in physical education, recreation, and leisure studies from Salisbury in 1984 and received his master’s degree in human services administration from Springfield (MA) College in 1998. He also completed the Sports Management Institute Executive Program sponsored by the University of Notre Dame and the University of Texas in January, 2004.

A former first team all-state baseball and All-Catholic League basketball player at St. Elizabeth’s High School in Wilmington, DE, Oravitz was a four-year starter in baseball at Virginia Wesleyan and Salisbury. He served as team co-captain at Virginia Wesleyan in 1983.

In 2006, Oravitz assisted head coach K.C. Keeler and his wife, Janice, with the Boys and Girls Clubs and their annual One Campaign which exceeded the goal of $750,000 by raising over $762,000.

Oravitz and his wife, Teresa, a 1979 graduate of Elizabethtown (PA) College, reside in Bear, DE.