VAF director Katstra stepping away after 26 years

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Dirk Katstra, who has led the Virginia Athletic Foundation for the past 26 years, announced Saturday that he will step away from his job as the organization’s executive director in mid-June and will assume another fundraising position within the university.

Katstra released the news in an email to several UVA and VAF officials, athletic department personnel, coaches and others:

“After 31 years of service in athletics at the University, 27 of which as the Executive Director of the Virginia Athletics Foundation and 10 as a sport administrator, I am accepting a position in University Advancement as Senior Executive Director for Principal Gifts,” Katstra wrote. “This role will allow me to serve the broader University community focused on significant benefactors across the entire University.

“Last month, our team reached our $500 million fundraising target as part of the $5 billion Honor the Future Campaign and did so two years in advance of the end of the campaign. This is a credit to our generous donors and the hard work of everyone in the athletics department and the VAF staff and Board. We are the largest unit on Grounds to achieve its campaign goal so far and this is a good time to pursue a new opportunity. While there is still more to accomplish and more money to be raised, this is a significant milestone.

“I plan to remain in my current role until mid-June and start my new position later this summer. After three decades of service, and over $1 billion raised during that time, I am looking forward to this new challenge. I love the University of Virginia and our athletics program and am grateful that I will still be involved in supporting all Wahoos in the future. I will miss the day-to-day world of college athletics and will continue to do all I can to support you and athletics program in my new role.”

The VAF is responsible for all fundraising efforts for Virginia athletics.

Katstra is a 1991 UVA graduate with a degree in sports management. He played on the Cavaliers’ basketball teams from 1987 to 1991 and was senior captain in 1990-91.

His late father, Richard, lettered in basketball at UVA in 1963 and 1964. His son, Austin, played on Tony Bennett’s teams from 2017-21.