News Release

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Timothy Fitzpatrick was named director of athletics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy here Friday by Rear Adm. Sandra Stosz, superintendent.

Fitzpatrick, director of athletics at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Texas, will succeed Dr. Ray Cieplik, who retired in June after more than 40 years of service to the institution.

“Tim’s experience, energy and vision equip him well to advance our mission of developing leaders of character,” said Stosz. “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.”

Fitzpatrick comes to the academy with considerable experience at a number of the nation’s prominent college athletics programs. Before his time at Texas A&M, he worked as the senior associate athletic director at Indiana University. With the Hoosiers, he was responsible for the internal administration of the department, which included facilities management and oversight of the football and women’s basketball programs. Prior to that, he served as the chief operating officer and assistant athletic director for External Operations at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

“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. “We wish Tim the best and know that the Coast Guard Academy will sail on smooth waters under Tim’s leadership.”

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in sports administration and facility management from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, Va. 

“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." 

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy sponsors 23 intercollegiate sports (11 men’s, nine women’s and three co-ed) - most of which compete in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference. The Coast Guard is a member of the New England Football Conference and competes in the Bogan Division.