Dan Tancredi, ECON 1997, loved Georgia Tech — and especially Yellow Jacket basketball. Tancredi died Aug. 23, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. Now, his generous bequest provision to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund will perpetuate his legacy and his passion for Georgia Tech athletics for generations. 

Tancredi was born in Staten Island, New York, and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1997 with a degree in economics. Early on, he was an avid reader and comic book collector. He attended Dragon Con every year and befriended and sometimes financially supported the local artists he admired, amassing an impressive collection of original comics. He was also passionate about music and his friendships. Tancredi’s classmate and friend, Magd Riad, IE 2001, described him as a “unique person” who “always thought of others first.” That generosity of spirit was evident in his gift to Georgia Tech in honor of what was perhaps his greatest passion — Yellow Jacket basketball. 

As a student, Tancredi would camp out for Tech basketball tickets. Typically first in line, he usually sat in the prime spot in the student area: Row 1, Seat 1 in the Alexander Memorial Coliseum. He also got to know members of the basketball team through his role as a tutor. 

After graduating, Tancredi went on to enjoy a successful career in finance, most recently serving as senior vice president of Commercial Credit at Bank of America. He remained an ardent supporter of his alma mater and a devoted fan of the basketball program. 

Over the years, Tancredi made significant gifts to intercollegiate athletics and supported scholarships for student-athletes. His passion for Georgia Tech and its athletics programs lives on through the Daniel E. Tancredi Men’s Basketball Program Endowment, which will support athletic scholarships for men’s basketball players. In recognition of his gift, the student section of McCamish Pavilion has been named in Tancredi’s honor, commemorating his devotion to the Yellow Jackets. “I think he wanted a place that his friends and their kids could go and just kind of remember him,” Riad said. “The student section in McCamish serves that purpose.” 

Acknowledging Tancredi’s generosity, Ryan Alpert, vice president and director of Athletics, said, “Dan Tancredi’s passion for Georgia Tech basketball was unrivaled. A longtime season ticket holder, even while he was living in New York, he traveled great distances to support the Yellow Jackets, both here on The Flats and on the road. Since his passion for Tech basketball began as a student cheering on the Jackets at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, it’s only fitting that the student section at McCamish Pavilion be named in his honor. Georgia Tech couldn’t be more grateful for Dan’s longtime support, and we’re proud that his memory will live on in McCamish Pavilion.”

To make a gift or commitment to Athletics, contact Robby Poteat, executive associate athletics director for Development, at rpoteat@athletics.gatech.edu.