TicketsJune 17, 2011
NEW LONDON, Conn. - Bob Arkeilpane, Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati for the last six years, has been named the Director of Athletics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the school announced Friday (June 17).
"I want to thank Bob for his dedicated service over the last six years here at UC," Cincinnati Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "He has been an integral part in our strategic planning and the development of our CATapult mission. He is also a close friend and I wish him the best of luck in his new position."
Arkeilpane joined the Bearcats in December of 2005 as the No. 2 administrator, overseeing the daily operations of the athletic department. He has held direct sport oversight of the football, men's basketball, and baseball programs as well as overseeing the sports medicine and athletics business offices.
Arkeilpane has three decades of Division I experience as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. He joined the Bearcats after serving for three years as Associate Vice President of the UC Foundation, the private sector fund-raising entity for the University of Cincinnati and its campuses, colleges, departments and units.
Arkeilpane previously had worked for the UC Foundation as college director of development and alumni affairs from 1987-91.
"While I am excited about the opportunities which lie before me, the decision to leave the University of Cincinnati was an extremely difficult one," Arkeilpane said. "I have served two separate tenures at UC, and during that time, I have formed many special professional bonds and friendships. I will always have a great deal of respect for the people I have worked with, and will no doubt continue to root for the Bearcats."
Arkeilpane made his return to UC after five successful years as Director of Athletics at the University of Buffalo. Arkeilpane was named officer-in-charge in UB's Division of Athletics and then served as interim athletics director for 10 months prior to being named director in February 1999. He was promoted to the helm of the Bulls' department of athletics after spending three years as Associate Athletics Director of Development at UB starting in 1995. As director of athletics, Arkeilpane had responsibility for all intercollegiate athletic, recreational and intramural athletics programs at Buffalo. UB had 17 sports teams competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) when Arkeilpane was named director of athletics. Football joined the conference in the fall of 1999 and, under Arkeilpane's leadership, UB added three new sports-women's softball and crew, and baseball. Arkeilpane's accomplishments also included successfully guiding UB through the Division I-A reclassification process, positioning UB to comply successfully with all aspects of Title IX, improving attendance at football and basketball games and achieving a balanced budget for five consecutive years.
He came to UB from Miami University (Ohio) where he was an assistant athletics director from 1993-95. His career in administration started in Buffalo when he worked as Director of Annual Giving from 1983-85. Arkeilpane then moved on to an Assistant Athletics Director/Development position at Cal State-Fullerton until 1987. He has also served as a Development Officer at UC and as Assistant Athletics Director/Development at Miami University.
A native of Amherst, N.Y. and a standout high school football player at Sweet Home High School, he earned an athletic scholarship to Syracuse, where he was a starting defensive back for three seasons. He played with future NFL stars Art Monk, Joe Morris and Gary Anderson-and against such big-name players as Warren Moon, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly. Arkeilpane earned his bachelor`s degree in 1981 from Syracuse. He earned his master's degree from Ohio University while serving as a graduate assistant football coach.
Arkeilpane will continue to serve his role at UC through July 15.