TPS names interim athletic director

TULSA - Tulsa Public Schools named an interim athletic director Tuesday.

Pending board approval at Monday's meeting, Gil Cloud will assume duties Tuesday.

“We are delighted that Gil has decided to join us on an interim basis as we begin the process of hiring for the full-time athletic director position,” said Kevin Burr, associate superintendent of secondary schools. “Gil has a lengthy track record of success in both high school and college athletics, and will be a powerful asset to TPS as we focus on finding the right individual to take our athletic program into the future.”

Cloud is currently the president of Premier Collegiate Consulting, LLC, which provides consulting services to colleges, universities and public schools.

Cloud previously served as athletic director at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah from 1994 to 2000.  He has served in similar roles at the Upper Iowa University and Arkansas Tech University.

Cloud's experience with high school athletics extends to a stint as athletic director for Union Public Schools and Guthrie Public Schools.  He served as head football coach at McAlester High School as well as defensive coach at Kansas State University and Cameron University.

Cloud will fill the role left vacant after former TPS Athletic Director Dr. Stephanie Spring resigned effective Feb. 7. 

For the last few months of Spring's tenure at TPS, she and two of the department's assistants were on administrative leave pending a police investigation into possible computer crimes involving email hacking.  So far no charges have been filed.

While Spring was on suspension, Stephen Mayfield, executive assistant to the associate superintendent of secondary schools, took over as acting athletic director.