Weatherford College has named Dr. Steven Garippa as athletic director.

Garippa was the first athletic director for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, starting a total of eleven NCAA varsity sports and managing a budget over $1.2 million. Under Garippa's leadership, TAMIU progressed from a NAIA institution to NCAA Division II status. In only their third year of competition, all nine existing TAMIU varsity sports qualified for post-season play.

Prior to his six years at TAMIU, Garippa spent nine years as director of health, physical education and athletics at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in Waxahachie. He directed the overall development of the SAGU athletic department from two sports to eleven sports. He also served as the SAGU head men's basketball coach for six years, leading the team to a national championship in 1998.

"Having grown up in a small community, taking this position in the community of Weatherford is like coming home," said Garippa. "What drives my vision is the potential of developing young men and women in the classroom of athletics."

Before his career in athletics management, Garippa spent 12 years in the U.S. Air Force, serving as combat crew commander at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and logistics/procurement officer at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in New York.

The native of eastern New York earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Arizona State University; his Master of Science Degree in Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science from Central Missouri State University; and his Doctor of Education in Supervision & Administration for Secondary and Higher Education from Texas A&M-Commerce.

Garippa and his wife of 27 years, Laurie, have 2 children and 1 granddaughter.