NORFOLK – Jacob Ripple has been named the new director of athletics at Northeast Community College.

He arrives at Northeast with an extensive resume at the junior/community college level– most recently serving as eligibility and athletic academic coordinator at Blinn College in Brenham, TX. Ripple succeeds Kurt Pytleski, who was part-time athletic director at the College for the past four years while also serving as a full-time member of the faculty. Pytleski will continue to teach full-time in Northeast’s horticulture program.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Jacob’s caliber join Northeast as we increase the number of our athletic programs,” said Dr. Karen Severson, vice president of student services. “He has experience in athletics administration, sports information and coaching that is necessary to serve in such a position. We have been looking for someone to move Hawks’ athletics in a direction that will keep our student-athletes competitive in and out of the classroom. We are confident that Jacob will continue to move our athletic programs in a positive direction at both the regional and national level.”

Ripple said, “Northeast Community College is obviously positioned for a great change in athletics with the addition of new programs and the athletic director position. I believe that helping to shape a growing athletic program is an unbelievable opportunity for any athletic administrator. Northeast had obviously had success in the programs they have previously offered, but new programs will give Northeast an opportunity to become one of the premier athletic programs in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association).I am very excited and thankful for this opportunity that is in front of me.”

In his previous position at Blinn College, Ripple was responsible for the supervision of NJCAA eligibility for Buccaneer sports and advising of student-athletes. Prior to Blinn, he was the assistant athletic director at Garden City Community College in Garden City, KS. In addition, he served three years as the sports information director and as the assistant executive director of the Broncbuster Athletic Association.

Ripple coached collegiate women’s basketball before moving into administration at Garden City.

He coached for 14 years and was part of many successful teams including an NJCAA Region VI Championship in 2000 at Barton County Community College. Ripple also was part of the coaching staff at Sterling College when it had teams make two different appearances at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II National Tournament.

Ripple earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Sterling College and his master’s degree in health and human performance from Ft. Hays State University. He and his wife, Tonja, have one daughter, Adison.

He will begin his new duties July 1.