Eastern Michigan Athletics
Rapier Named EMU Assistant AD for Equipment Operations
4/14/2014 3:36:00 PM | General
Chesapeake, Va. native has worked at both the NCAA Division I and NFL levels
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Tommy Rapier has been named the Assistant Athletics Director for Equipment Operations at Eastern Michigan University, Vice President and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke announced today, April 14.
"We are thrilled to welcome Tommy and his family to Eastern Michigan University," Lyke added. Tommy's level of experience, professionalism and expertise working in equipment operations will be a great asset in serving our student-athletes and entire athletic department."
"I feel very fortunate to be selected for this position," said Rapier. "I am honored to be a part of an outstanding athletic department and University. I want to thank President Martin and Heather Lyke for this awesome opportunity to make a difference in my wife's home state."
Most recently, Rapier (pronounced RAY-peer) worked as an equipment assistant for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. He was responsible for making sure that players, coaches, and staff adhered to by the equipment and apparel regulations set forth by the National Football League, Nike, and individual apparel contracts for training camp, preseason, and regular season contests. Rapier was also in charge of the set-up of home and away locker rooms while also overseeing the loading, transport, and unloading for equipment and trunks for all contests.
The 37-year old Rapier spent four seasons (2009-13) working with Old Dominion University as the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Equipment and Facilities. There, he oversaw the equipment room operations of 18 NCAA Division I sports consisting of 465 athletes as the school began its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Conference USA. He also oversaw the facility needs for S.B. Ballard Stadium at Foreman Field and the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
He joined ODU in 2008 as the Monarchs' equipment manager. In that role, he was responsible for the equipment needs of the football program while overseeing the setup and operation of practice.
A 2004 graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in secondary education, Rapier spent seven years working with the Hokies' athletic programs. He began his career as a student manager for the football team and upon graduation served as a graduate assistant from 2004-05. Rapier spent his final three years at Virginia Tech as the assistant equipment manager. While at Tech, he worked closely with the nationally-ranked football program, in addition to servicing the equipment needs of seven Olympic sports.
Rapier also spent the spring and summer of 2008 interning with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, helping the coaching staff with the daily operations of practices and workouts.
A certified member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA), Rapier is also Equipment Manager Certified (E.M.,C.) as well as having earned his CoachComm Sideline Communication certification.
A native of Chesapeake, Va., Rapier and his wife Angie have two sons, Talon (3) and Ty (2).
THE TOMMY RAPIER FILE
Name: Thomas G. Rapier II, E.M., C
College: Virginia Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor's degree in exercise science - 2004
Family: Wife - Angie; Children - Talon and Ty
WORK EXPERIENCE
YEAR SCHOOL JOB TITLE
2013-14 NFL's Cleveland Browns Equipment Assistant
2009-13 Old Dominion University Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Equipment and Facilities
2008-09 Old Dominion University Equipment Manager
Summer 2008 NFL's Atlanta Falcon Intern
2005-08 Virginia Polytechnic Institute Assistant Equipment Manager
2004-05 Virginia Polytechnic Institute Graduate Assistant
2001-04 Virginia Polytechnic Institute Student Assistant Equipment Manager
"We are thrilled to welcome Tommy and his family to Eastern Michigan University," Lyke added. Tommy's level of experience, professionalism and expertise working in equipment operations will be a great asset in serving our student-athletes and entire athletic department."
"I feel very fortunate to be selected for this position," said Rapier. "I am honored to be a part of an outstanding athletic department and University. I want to thank President Martin and Heather Lyke for this awesome opportunity to make a difference in my wife's home state."
Most recently, Rapier (pronounced RAY-peer) worked as an equipment assistant for the NFL's Cleveland Browns. He was responsible for making sure that players, coaches, and staff adhered to by the equipment and apparel regulations set forth by the National Football League, Nike, and individual apparel contracts for training camp, preseason, and regular season contests. Rapier was also in charge of the set-up of home and away locker rooms while also overseeing the loading, transport, and unloading for equipment and trunks for all contests.
The 37-year old Rapier spent four seasons (2009-13) working with Old Dominion University as the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Equipment and Facilities. There, he oversaw the equipment room operations of 18 NCAA Division I sports consisting of 465 athletes as the school began its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Conference USA. He also oversaw the facility needs for S.B. Ballard Stadium at Foreman Field and the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
He joined ODU in 2008 as the Monarchs' equipment manager. In that role, he was responsible for the equipment needs of the football program while overseeing the setup and operation of practice.
A 2004 graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in secondary education, Rapier spent seven years working with the Hokies' athletic programs. He began his career as a student manager for the football team and upon graduation served as a graduate assistant from 2004-05. Rapier spent his final three years at Virginia Tech as the assistant equipment manager. While at Tech, he worked closely with the nationally-ranked football program, in addition to servicing the equipment needs of seven Olympic sports.
Rapier also spent the spring and summer of 2008 interning with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, helping the coaching staff with the daily operations of practices and workouts.
A certified member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA), Rapier is also Equipment Manager Certified (E.M.,C.) as well as having earned his CoachComm Sideline Communication certification.
A native of Chesapeake, Va., Rapier and his wife Angie have two sons, Talon (3) and Ty (2).
THE TOMMY RAPIER FILE
Name: Thomas G. Rapier II, E.M., C
College: Virginia Polytechnic Institute - Bachelor's degree in exercise science - 2004
Family: Wife - Angie; Children - Talon and Ty
WORK EXPERIENCE
YEAR SCHOOL JOB TITLE
2013-14 NFL's Cleveland Browns Equipment Assistant
2009-13 Old Dominion University Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Equipment and Facilities
2008-09 Old Dominion University Equipment Manager
Summer 2008 NFL's Atlanta Falcon Intern
2005-08 Virginia Polytechnic Institute Assistant Equipment Manager
2004-05 Virginia Polytechnic Institute Graduate Assistant
2001-04 Virginia Polytechnic Institute Student Assistant Equipment Manager
Serving up tacos and aces!
Wednesday, October 22
Men's Basketball Alumni Game All Call
Tuesday, October 21
🎥 Eastern in 60 Seconds: Part 9
Tuesday, October 21
Season 8 - Episode 9: Belcher’s Leadership and Football Returns Home
Monday, October 20