Tulsa Public Schools names new athletic director

Tulsa Public Schools appointed Gil Cloud as their interim athletic director in February of this year.

His main goal was to help begin righting the ship and then assist in hiring a new AD in about four months time.

It turns out, the best guy for the job was right there in the room the whole time.

Earlier Tuesday, TPS announced that the interim tag has been removed from Cloud's name and he is the new man to head the athletics department.

TPS released the following statement today.

TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa Public Schools announced today that Acting Athletic Director Gil Cloud will stay on indefinitely as athletic director, at least through the end of the 2012-13 school year. Cloud was hired on an interim basis and assumed his duties on Feb. 7, 2011.

 “A substantial number of well-qualified and diverse applicants were considered for the athletic director position, but we have made the decision to stick with Gil Cloud,” said Kevin Burr, associate superintendent of secondary schools. “Gil has been a stabilizing force in the department, and our preference is to continue moving forward in the direction he is taking us. He is squarely focused on the well-being of students, and how athletics can create an environment for student growth and development. Many qualified individuals applied for the position, however, we feel very strongly that Gil Cloud is our best choice.”

Cloud said, “I am pleased and excited to continue to assist Tulsa Public Schools as Director of Secondary Schools Athletics and Activities. We have good coaches and student athletes and now we must move forward to make their educational and athletics experience the best it can be. We have many opportunities to undertake, and with our community, schools and administrative support we can make a positive impact in our students’ lives.”

 Cloud has previously served as director of athletics for Northeastern State University (Tahlequah), and in a similar role with Upper Iowa University and Arkansas Tech University. He also has experience in high school athletics, having worked as athletic director for Union Public Schools and Guthrie Public Schools. He has previously served as head football coach at McAlester High School, as well as a defensive coach at Kansas State University and Cameron University (Lawton). Prior to joining TPS, Cloud was president of Premier Collegiate Consulting, LLC, providing consulting services to colleges, universities and public schools.

 Burr also thanked the members of the athletic director search advisory committee:

Stephen Mayfield, executive assistant to the associate superintendent for secondary schools;

• Stacey Vernon, principal, Will Rogers College High School;
• Micheal Parish, head boy's basketball coach, Edison Preparatory High School;
• Mike Mims, assistant principal, Booker T. Washington High School; and,
• community members Dave Rader, Thad Leonard and Bob Hurley.

“The advisory council did a tremendous job helping with the search for Tulsa Public Schools’ newest athletic director,” Burr said. “The group has met regularly since early March and helped interview the finalists for the position in mid April. Without them, the decision would have been much more difficult.”

Please visit the TPS website at www.tulsaschools.org for additional information and updates.