Robert Zirkle was named the Director of Athletic Development at Tusculum University in July 2023.

 

Zirkle is responsible for leading the fundraising efforts for the Tusculum athletic department, including major gifts, annual fund gifts, gifts to capital projects and athletic alumni relations.

 

He also leads the Pioneer Club, which works to raise funds for the athletic department through connections with parents, alumni, staff and other supporters of the University.

 

Zirkle earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Tusculum. He served as a graduate assistant in the TU athletic department during the 2020-2021 COVID shortened academic year. He provided assistance throughout the department which included game day management, oversaw the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Make-A-Wish fundraising activities, coordination of special events and assisted with NCAA compliance. During the COVID abbreviated campaign, the Pioneers captured five South Atlantic Conference championships.

 

Zirkle also served as an admissions representative at Tusculum in 2021 where he was a liaison with the Pioneer athletic department.

 

The Lakeland, Georgia native lettered on the Tusculum football team from 2016-2019 where he was a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, TU Athletic Director's Honor Roll, Charles Oliver Gray Honors List and was a 2018 recipient of the Division II Athletic Director's Association Academic Achievement Award.

 

Off the field, he was three-year member of the Tusculum University President's Society where he served as vice president.

 

He earned his Bachelor's degree from Tusculum in 2020 and earned summa cum laud honors as a business administration major. He later earned his MBA from Tusculum in 2021 where he graduated with high honors.