The Circolo Ricreativo Dannunziano (CRAD) was established in 1986 with the aim of fostering cultural growth and social interaction among University staff through initiatives that promote cultural, recreational, touristic, and sports activities. The founding members of the club — whose efforts contributed to the development of a rich and well-structured program of activities — were Marco Napoleone, Gaetano Tanino Rosa, Maria Cristina Forlani, Adriano Antonucci, Francesco Nicolosi, Franco Di Giacomo, Vincenzo Ruggeri (who sadly passed away prematurely), and Filippo Lillo Di Donato, who tragically died in a road accident in 1996. 

At the time of its establishment, the following official roles were assigned: Vincenzo Ruggeri as President, Marco Napoleone as Vice President, and Tanino Rosa as Secretary. After five months, the founding members of the Club resigned in order to call elections for the statutory bodies for the 1986–1988 term. The elections were held on 15 November 1986, and the following individuals were elected: Tanino Rosa, Paolo Ricci, Maria Cristina Forlani, Adriano Antonucci, Filippo Di Donato, Franco Di Giacomo, Vincenzo Ruggeri, Angelo Faraone, and Marco Napoleone. For the Board of Statutory Auditors, the elected members were: Mario Castropaolo, Paolo Costantini, and Mario Castiglione; substitute auditors were Francesco Di Marzio and Giovanni Pasqualone. On 27 November 1986, the newly elected Executive Board assigned the official positions as follows: Vincenzo Ruggeri as President, Marco Napoleone as Vice President, Tanino Rosa as Secretary; Mario Castropaolo as President of the Board of Statutory Auditors. 

On 3 December 1986, the Executive Board established the following committees and appointed their respective coordinators:

1. Ecology Committee – Adriano Antonucci
2. Cultural Initiatives Committee – Maria Cristina Forlani
3. Music Initiatives Committee – Maria Cristina Forlani
4. Educational Travel and Leisure Committee – Filippo Di Donato
5. Promotional Activities Committee – Vittorio Cantorese and Paolo Ricci
6. Press Committee – Mario D’Alessandro and Mario Pasotti
7. Sports Committee, with the following disciplines and coordinators: Fishing  - Angelo Faraone; Football  - Angelo Faraone and Dante Di Credico; Clay Pigeon Shooting  -  Giancarlo Cetrullo; Skiing  - Paolo Cetrullo; Tennis  - Francesco Di Marzio. 

In November 1988, the statutory bodies were renewed for the 1988–1990 term. The following individuals were elected: Adriano Antonucci, Elena Brandolini, Mario D’Alessandro, Gabriella Di Peppe, Angelo Faraone, Marco Napoleone, Rossella Noncreduto, and Tanino Rosa. For the Board of Statutory Auditors, the elected members were Mario Castropaolo, Mario Castiglione, and Giovanni Pasqualone; the substitutes auditors were Paolo Costantini and Adele Tarullo.

The Executive Board subsequently appointed Rector Uberto Crescenti as Honorary President; Mario D’Alessandro as President, Adriano Antonucci as Vice President, and Tanino Rosa as Secretary. In November 1991, the statutory bodies were renewed through the election of a new Executive Board, composed of: Angelo Faraone, Paolo Ricci, Giuseppe Piscione, Mario Castiglione, Lina Barrucci, Mario Castropaolo, Mario Cicconetti, Marco Napoleone, Angelo Cetrullo, Elena Ricci, Tanino Rosa, and Mario D’Alessandro. Mario D’Alessandro was confirmed as President, and Tanino Rosa as Secretary. At the time of CRAD’s founding, alongside the assignment of official roles, the Statute was also drafted. Over the years, it has been progressively updated and adapted to meet evolving functional needs and changing operational perspectives—always in full compliance with the decisions of the Members' Assembly. 

In its early years, CRAD’s activities were made possible thanks to an annual contribution from the University Administration, which ranged between 20 and 40 million lire. This funding was subject to an annual expenditure report, with invoices and various payments processed by the University’s Accounting Office. From the first years following its establishment — and with the transition of the presidency from Professor Vincenzo Ruggieri to Mario D’Alessandro — CRAD, supported by the dedication of then-Secretary Tanino Rosa, decided to join the National Coordination of University Recreation Clubs, chaired by Angelo Pupella of Sapienza University of Rome.