John David Wicker Named a Top AD by Silver Waves Media

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State’s John David Wicker has been named a Top Athletic Director in America, Silver Waves Media announced on Monday. The 70-person list was identified and narrowed down by Silver Wave Media’s committee.

Those included on the list are considered to be among the top Athletic Directors in America, leading the way through exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to elevating the student-athlete experience. Whether overseeing established athletic departments or building programs from the ground up, these individuals play a critical role in shaping the culture, success, and future of athletics within their schools and communities. Through innovation, integrity, and a commitment to excellence, they continue to set the standard for athletic leadership while creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of athletes.

Wicker was named SDSU’s athletic director on Oct. 24, 2016.

Through his tireless efforts, Wicker has overseen numerous capital projects upon his return to The Mesa, including the construction of Snapdragon Stadium, the Aztec football program’s new state-of-the-art facility that serves as the centerpiece of the SDSU Mission Valley redevelopment plan, along with a highly anticipated River Park. Additionally, he has been at the vanguard of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) discussion across collegiate athletics, and has played an active role in helping to shape legislation affecting the college athletic landscape at both the state and federal level.

Wicker has overseen the addition of the Aztecs Going Pro lifeskills curriculum, and numerous academic achievements by SDSU student-athletes. Not to be outdone, Wicker has also raised significant funds for the athletic department to improve the overall student-athlete experience at San Diego State.

Since Wicker took over the reins as SDSU’s athletic director, the Aztecs have captured 42 Mountain West team championships, including seven swimming and diving championships, six men’s basketball titles, five women’s tennis championships, five softball titles, four men's golf championships, four outdoor track and field crowns, four baseball titles, three women’s soccer crowns and two women’s basketball titles. In addition, the Aztecs have won conference championships in football, men's soccer and women’s golf during his nine-plus years at the helm.

Wicker worked as SDSU’s Deputy Athletic Director from 2011 until departing for Georgia Tech in July 2015. During his first term at SDSU, he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Aztec athletics department, overseeing business operations, human resources, events and facilities, capital projects, strength and conditioning, academics, video, as well as providing sport oversight for football, rowing, and men’s and women’s basketball.

Prior to his first tour of duty at SDSU, Wicker served as Associate Athletic Director for Event and Facility Operations at Washington State from 2001-11. While at WSU, he was responsible for event planning and game day responsibilities for all home athletic events, conference tournaments and NCAA championships, day-to-day oversight and operations of all athletic facilities, and the liaison for the athletic department on capital projects.

Wicker also spent two years as Director of Event and Facility Operations at Southern Miss from 1999-2001. At USM, he managed regular season and championship event operations, coordinated day-to-day maintenance of facilities, and served as the liaison to the university on all capital projects. He also oversaw the design and initial construction of USM’s $11 million Athletic Center, which houses administrative and coaching offices, football locker room, weight room and training areas.

Earlier, Wicker spent three years at Georgia from (1996-99), where he worked for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games in preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympics as the venue logistics manager for Sanford Stadium, home to the medal rounds for men’s and women’s soccer.

Wicker graduated from Mississippi State in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in professional accountancy. He received his master’s degree in education with an emphasis in sports management from Georgia in 1997.