New London ‑ Ray Cieplik, the athletics director at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, has announced his retirement.



Cieplik has worked in the athletics department at the academy for more than 40 years, starting as an instructor of physical education and coach of the men’s soccer team in 1970. He plans to retire from federal government service at the end of the academic year.



“I think of him as a pillar of our community,” said Rear Admiral J.Scott Burhoe, academy superintendent. “I thank him for his distinguished service, and for the profound effect he has had on generations of maritime guardians.”



Prior to being named athletic director, Cieplik served as the associate director of athletics for 10 years. He stepped down as men’s soccer coach after 31 years following the 2001 season. From 1976 through 2000, he enjoyed 25 consecutive winning seasons, with a career record of 248-165-34. His teams have won two Eastern College Athletic Conference titles, in 1995 and 1998, and three Constitution Athletic Conference titles.



Cieplik was named Coach of the Year three times, was inducted into the Academy’s Hall of Fame in 1997, and in 2003 received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Honor Award. In 2008 he was selected to receive a Gold Key from the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance.



He served as president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He recently completed a two-year term as president of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference, and serves as the National Chair of the Scholar-Athlete All-America Committee.



During his 12 years as athletics director, Cieplik spearheaded the upgrade in the academy’s athletics facilities. The football stadium was changed from grass to artificial turf, the baseball and softball fields received total renovations, and the academy opened a lighted track and field complex with an artificial turf soccer field and press box.



His tenure as athletic director has been marked by unprecedented success in the academy’s sports program. Conference championships include two divisional championships in football, six in men’s swimming, two in men’s basketball, and one each in women’s volleyball and softball. ECAC championships include one each in men’s soccer and women’s basketball, and two in volleyball. In addition, Coast Guard teams have advanced to the NCAA championships twice each in men’s basketball, softball and volleyball, with the men’s basketball and volleyball teams advancing to the prestigious NCAA Elite 8.



“This has been a dream job for four decades,” Cieplik said. “For my family and me, this has been an exceptional professional experience. It has been a great challenge and richly rewarding to work with our staff and the young men and women who become some of the outstanding leaders of our nation. Coming to work each day is truly inspiring”.

