Troy Athletics hires new administrator

Troy Athletics announced Dan Heck as the new deputy athletics director for external relations and revenue generation. Athletics Director Kyle George announced the news over the winter break. 

“I am extremely excited to welcome Dan and his family to Troy,” George said in a Troy Athletics press release. “You win with people, and I am thrilled we are able to add one of the most dynamic marketers in the industry to our team.” 

Straight out of college, Heck worked at Arizona for four years as the associate director of marketing. Before that, he worked for his alma mater, Central Michigan, in marketing while he earned his master’s degree. 

For the past nine-plus years, Heck has been in the state of Alabama, also serving a six-year stint at Auburn. He makes the move to the Wiregrass after three years in Tuscaloosa as the associate athletics director of strategic marketing for Alabama. 

“Courtney, Webb and I are incredibly excited to join the Troy Athletics family, and we are truly grateful to Kyle George for this amazing opportunity,” Heck said to Troy Athletics. “I look forward to working and collaborating with our external units to continue growing the Troy brand in creative and innovative ways.” 

At his most recent stop with the Crimson Tide, the Grand Rapids, Mich., native oversaw marketing, licensing and fan engagement departments. While Heck was there, Alabama set attendance and ticket revenue records in multiple sports. 

Prior to Alabama, Heck worked at Auburn where his highlights included serving as the point of contact for Auburn football and basketball marketing efforts. While being led by Heck, the Auburn marketing team was a finalist for the NACMA Marketing Team of the Year in 2018 and 2022. 

“[Heck] has a proven track record of success at each stop in his career, and I am confident that he will help our team reach new heights,” George said. “Dan is a tremendous person who will be a great addition to our department as well as the Troy community.”