Story courtesy WTAMU 

West Texas A&M University today named Doug Lipinski as its new vice president of athletics.

Lipinski, currently a deputy director of athletics at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI, was selected in a national search.

“I personally spoke with some of the best Division II athletic directors in the country, and Doug’s name came up time and again,” WT President Walter V. Wendler said. “Doug has years of experience at Grand Valley State, the leading Division II intercollegiate athletics program in the nation, and his commitment to excellence, hard work and leadership will ensure that he can build on WT’s foundation of academic and athletic excellence.”

Lipinski has spent 22 years at GVSU, his alma mater and a 16-time Learfield Director’s Cup champion. He will begin his WT duties Aug. 28. He will be welcomed to the community at an upcoming public event. Lipinski, who will move to Canyon with his family, including wife Carrie and sons Adam and Lukas, said he was eager to make his mark at WT.

“I am honored and humbled to be named WT’s vice president of athletics,” Lipinski said. “I want to thank President Wendler for his championship vision and trust to lead one of the best NCAA DII athletics departments in the country. I am grateful to Provost Neil Terry for his leadership during this process. My family and I are extremely excited to be part of the Canyon community and Buff Nation.

“I look forward to working together with our dedicated staff, coaches and talented student-athletes,” Lipinski continued. “We will continue to strive to create the best student-athlete experience while competing for championships.”

Lipinski earned a bachelor’s in advertising and public relations and a Master of Public Administration at GVSU. He was a four-year member of the varsity baseball team and spent the subsequent four years as an assistant to coach Steve Lyon before moving into administrative roles.

Currently, he serves as GVSU’s deputy athletic director for external relations, overseeing all marketing and promotions, communications, ticketing, digital marketing, multimedia, corporate sponsorships, annual giving, merchandise and licensing. He and his team have won more than 100 National Association of College Marketing Administrators awards, and he has led the university in finalizing the largest sponsorship deals in its history.

A 14-person search committee led by Dr. Neil Terry, WT’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, was formed in May, following the resignation of longtime athletic director Michael McBroom.

“Doug is one of the most highly regarded leaders in athletics with extensive experience in areas such as marketing, broadcasting, personnel management, facilities planning, student-athlete development, compliance and external relations,” Terry said. “He is the perfect person to guide future WT strategic initiatives in the increasingly complex world of collegiate athletics.”