University of Delaware Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Senior Associate AD, Football/Chief of Staff
- Email:
- joravitz@udel.edu
Jerry Oravitz has been a key member of the University of Delaware Athletics Department for 29 years, including 25 years in various roles in Football administration. In February 2002, Oravitz transitioned to the newly established role of Senior Associate AD for Football. During his career at UD, Oravitz has served all Football Head Coaches dating back to Tubby Raymond.
In May 2017, Oravitz was promoted by AD Chrissi Rawak to the new role of Associate Director of Athletics for Major Gifts. In this role, he worked closely with student-athlete alumni and major gift donors as a part of the Athletics Development team led by current Interim AD Jordan Skolnick. Oravitz was instrumental in the fundraising efforts which resulted in the $65M Whitney Athletics Center which opened in January 2021.
In December 2013, Oravitz was promoted by AD Eric Ziady to the position of Associate Director of Athletics for Football Administration. In that role, he managed the day-to-day operations of the program which included budget management; on-campus recruiting; future Football scheduling; Football alumni engagement; and strategic planning. Oravitz spent 14 years as Director of Football Operations; including handling team operations for the 2003 DI-AA National Championship as well as the 2007 and 2010 FCS National Finalist teams.
Oravitz has also served as an Adjunct Instructor for UD’s Sports Management program from 2003-2014. Throughout his career, he has mentored numerous students who have gone onto successful careers in the NFL and throughout collegiate athletics.
Oravitz earned his Master’s degree in Humanics from Springfield College (1998), and earned his Bachelors degree from Salisbury University (MD) in 1984. He has also completed NACDA’s Sports Management program sponsored by Notre Dame and the University of Texas (2004).
While at UD, Oravitz has served as Tournament Director for the America East Baseball; Indoor Track & Field; Men’s Lacrosse; and Women’s Lacrosse Championships. He has also been a key player during the transition from the FCS to the FBS and Conference USA.
Additionally, Oravitz has served as a member of the AFCA Football Operations committee. He also leads UD’s Bone Marrow Drive which has resulted in several donor matches since 2008.
A former First-Team All-State Baseball player, and an All-Catholic League Basketball player at nearby St. Elizabeth’s HS in Wilmington, DE, Oravitz was also a Baseball Letter winner at Salisbury University.
Oravitz is active in our local community, serving as a volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Newark; the Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington; and the Salisbury University Baseball Alumni Association.
Oravitz and his wife Teresa are life-long Delawareans.
