Dr. Charles Breithaupt has been named executive director of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) after a nationwide search conducted by The University of Texas at Austin. Breithaupt is the seventh executive director in the 100-year history of UIL, following Dr. Bill Farney’s retirement Jan. 30.
Breithaupt served as associate director and director of athletics for the UIL. He was promoted to UIL associate director in August 2004 after serving as the state director of athletics since March 1995.
Dr. Gregory Vincent, vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin, of which UIL is a part, said, “Dr. Breithaupt is undoubtedly committed to the UIL’s mission and programs. It was clear to the search committee that his experience has won him the respect of superintendents and coaches across the state. He is very familiar with the challenges of the position as well as the challenges that schools and districts face every day.”
University President William Powers, Jr., said, “Charles Breithaupt is the perfect choice as executive director. He has experienced UIL as a coach, as a teacher, and as an administrator, and he knows the organization inside and out. He has been a successful statewide leader in many areas of UIL competition and has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions. He will be an outstanding leader of the University Interscholastic League.”
Previously, Breithaupt was responsible for the administration of the entire athletic program for the state including the reclassification and realignment process involving more than 1,300 member schools. He has served on several national committees including the National Federation of State High School Associations Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee. He currently serves on the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee and has served as liaison to the NCAA Football Rules Committee for the past 10 years.
Dr. Breithaupt is looking forward to his new role at UIL continuing his work with schools and students. He said, “My experience at the UIL has given me great insight, and I am thrilled that I can carry that knowledge into my new position.”
Breithaupt joined the League in June of 1992 after 17 years in coaching. He had also served as an athletic director, assistant principal, high school principal and as a school board member throughout his career. He coached football, basketball, baseball, track and field, and cross- country and taught English and History. He has been named Coach of the year nine times and was named State Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches in 1991. He was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Southeast Texas Coaches Hall of Honor in 2001. He was inducted in the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Honor in 2005.
A graduate of Buna High School, he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Lamar University in Beaumont. He completed his doctorate at The University of Texas at Austin in July 1996.
