Braine retires as result of illness

Last Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m., Director of Athletics Dave Braine announced at a press conference that it would be his last. His decision to retire, he said, was the result of an ailment known as Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder.

"I have one more year to go. I don't know whether or not I would have made it through next year anyway. There comes a time when it is time to go," Braine said. "My mind and my body told me it's time for somebody else. I am grateful for the opportunity because Georgia Tech has been very good to me."

He has served as the director of athletics since 1997. During that time, he has overseen a program that has gone through many changes.

He raised $75 million for Bobby Dodd Stadium's facilities upgrade project that expanded its capacity to 55,000. He also headed a project to upgrade the facilities of Russ Chandler Stadium, raising its seating capacity to 5,500 seats and made several upgrades to the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. Among Braine's other accomplishments include the numerous coaches brought into the athletic program. In football, he brought in Chan Gailey after George O'Leary left for Notre Dame. Tech has been to a bowl game every season during Braine's tenure.

"Dave gave me the opportunity to come to Georgia Tech, for which I am very appreciative. Under his direction, we've been able to improve our facilities tremendously, with the stadium expansion and the other new football facilities that are very important to our program. We look forward to building on what's been started here under Dave," Gailey said.

In volleyball, he hired Bond Shymansky as head coach. In 2003, Tech advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament and fell to Hawaii, then ranked second in the nation. It was the first time that an ACC school had gone as far. In 2004, Shymansky was named ACC Coach of the Year for leading the team to a perfect 16-0 season. It was the first time in Tech's history that this had been done and the first time since 1996 that this had been done by an ACC school.

"Dave was a great mentor, leader and supporter for our program. He always cared for our female student-athletes as people first. Personally, he gave me my first big break in coaching and I will always be thankful for the confidence he showed in me," Shymansky said.

In basketball, Braine hired Paul Hewitt, who replaced Bobby Cremins. Although some critics claimed that Hewitt's first few seasons seemed unsuccessful, Hewitt led Tech to the NCAA championship game in 2004.

Many student athletes and coaches supported Braine and expressed sorrow over his retirement.

"I think he has been great for Georgia Tech, and in particular he has been great for Tech baseball. he attends almost every home game that we have. He is very supportive of not only me, but our players and staff. So we are going to miss him," said Danny Hall, head baseball coach.

"When I heard the news about [his retirement], I was very sad. I knew him on a personal level, as more than just an administrative athletic director. He was a very approachable guy.. Hopefully, we will be able to bring in somebody who will do just as well [as Braine]," said Steven Blackwood, a senior outfielder for the baseball team.

"Dave Braine is an outstanding leader, a great business man, and, most importantly, an amazing person. Coach Braine was a wonderful administrative director here at Georgia Tech and will be greatly missed," said Cheytoria Phillips, a senior forward for the volleyball team.

"He was very passionate about his job, an advocate for athletes and [he] cared deeply about our well-being and building us as individuals first. One thing that really stands out in my mind is that Coach Braine always had a smile on his face, was always willing to listen and was always available if someone needed him.. I hope that Coach Braine's condition continues to improve and for him to know that he will be in our prayers," Phillips said.