Rocky Mount, N.C.—The North Carolina Wesleyan Department of Athletics is pleased to officially announce the addition of men’s cross country to its list of intercollegiate sport offerings, as well as the hiring of Gregg Ripke as head coach of men’s golf. Ripke replaces interim golf coach David Doino, who will be charged with starting up the men’s cross country program this fall. With this addition, Wesleyan now sponsors 14 varsity sports, seven each for men and women.

Ripke is excited to take over a promising golf program that finished fifth in the USA South Conference Tournament this past spring, marking the Bishops’ highest finish in the past five years. He brings five years of coaching experience with him, having previously served as head golf coach at Rocky Mount’s Falls Road Baptist Church School. While there, he led Falls Road to a 3rd-place finish in the State Tournament.

Also active in the local golf community, Ripke has organized Falls Road’s fundraising golf tournament for the past 10 years and has assisted with the annual Gene Watson Memorial Golf Tournament that benefits the Transplant Endowment Fund at East Carolina University. Additionally, Ripke manages “The Dog Fight” golf league at nearby Hickory Meadows, a league that averages 18 weekly participants since he organized it over four years ago.

 “To me, golf is a reflection of life,” said Ripke, who is a low-handicap golfer himself. “I enjoy the challenges that golf presents to the individual, and I hope to connect those challenges to real life situations involving integrity, self-motivation and hard work.”

Outside of his coaching duties, the Salisbury, NC, native will continue his 20-year appointment with AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance Company), a role that has made him no stranger to the Wesleyan community.

Ripke’s hiring frees Doino to kickstart the College’s men’s cross country program this fall. Doino is optimistic to offer the program to a male student body that has recently shown interest in competing.

“I think this is a great addition for our athletics program as a whole,” said Doino, who is entering his fourth year at the College. “We already have some very talented runners in place, and I plan on securing a competitive schedule in the coming weeks.”

Fall schedules and rosters for both sports should be in place by September. Check the Battling Bishops’ official athletics website for more information as it is available at www.ncwc.edu/athletics.