FROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
James N. Vilade has been appointed the new athletic director at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Howard Patterson, UT Tyler vice president of student affairs announced.
Vilade, whose appointment is effective Aug. 18, succeeds Patterson who was the university’s first director of athletics. Patterson was appointed to a vice presidency in April 2008.
As athletic director, Vilade will direct 15 men’s and women’s programs. He will continue to serve as head baseball coach.
“All of our coaches have done an outstanding job, including Coach Vilade. As we move forward toward competing regionally and nationally, Coach Vilade has demonstrated exceptional skills in the areas of marketing, fund-raising, community service and, of course, teaching the game of baseball to all ages. The department’s focus will continue to be on attracting, retaining and graduating high-quality students who will integrate themselves into the UT Tyler, and greater Tyler, community,” Patterson said.
A member of the UT Tyler coaching staff since 2003, Vilade implemented the nationally-recognized Division III NCAA baseball program at UT Tyler. For the past two years, he has overseen the marketing efforts of the athletics department and was named associate athletic director last year.
“I want to thank UT Tyler president Dr. Rod Mabry and vice president Howard Patterson as well as the members of the search committee for this opportunity,” said Vilade. “I have enjoyed my time at UT Tyler and look forward to leading this great athletic department.”
Under Vilade’s direction, the Patriots’ baseball team has amassed a 155-41 record in the program’s five years while Vilade is 273-93 overall as a head coach. This year’s team earned a spot in the American Southwest Conference baseball tournament in its first year eligible as a full NCAA member. Vilade’s tenure as head baseball coach has seen 78 all-conference players and 14 players sign to play professional baseball.
Vilade holds an undergraduate degree in telecommunications from Baylor and a master’s degree in sports management.
Vilade is active in community affairs, founding the “E.H. Almand Scholarship Fund” and “Sports Cards for Kids” in East Texas. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of East Texas and Food Fast Children’s Charities. He and his players are very active in numerous charities, including the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Trinity Mother Frances Diabetes Camp and the American Heart Walk.
“UT Tyler has built a very strong athletic tradition in a very short time,” said Vilade. “Our tradition of strong academics, first-class athletics and outstanding service to our university and community will continue to be priorities for our department.”
Vilade is a native of Gladstone, New Jersey, and lives in Tyler with his wife and three children.
One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. Nearly 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 6,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.
