CGA Picks Texas A&M Man For Athletic Director

The has accepted the athletic director at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to move into the same post at the federal service academy.

Rear Admiral Sandra Stosz, superintendent of the academy, confirmed Timothy Fitzpatrick to replace Dr. Ray Cieplik, who retired at the end of the 2011 academic year after spending 12 years as the academy's athletic director and 31 years as the men's soccer coach. The academy previously offered the position to , who last served as deputy director of athletics at the University of Cincinnati, but Arkeilpane later .

“I am very honored and humbled to have been selected as the director of athletics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for my family and I to play an important role in the professional and person development of leaders of character who will one day defend our nation. I would like to thank Rear Adm. Stosz for choosing me, and I look forward to embracing the mission of the USCGA while striving diligently to create and sustain and intercollegiate athletics program that will achieve competitive success while always reflecting the core values of the academy and the Coast Guard."

Fitzpatrick formerly worked as the senior associate athletic director at Indiana University as well as the chief operating officer and assistant athletic director of external operations at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He also held roles in the athletic departments at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of North Texas, according to the Texas A&M website.

Fitzpatrick graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from  Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, Va. and a master's degree in sports administration and facility management from Ohio University. He has been the athletic director at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi since 2009.

“Tim’s experience, energy and vision equip him well to advance our mission of developing leaders of character,” said Stosz in a statement. “I am very excited to welcome a leader of his caliber to head up our athletics program and further our progress in attaining national prominence.”

“We hate to see Tim go, but his passion for the military academies and his family reflect his integrity, character and dedication,” said Dr. Trent Hill, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, in a statement. “We wish Tim the best and know that the Coast Guard Academy will sail on smooth waters under Tim’s leadership.”