WPI Athletics Mourns the Passing of Former Athletics Director Ray Gilbert
WORCESTER -- WPI Athletics has recently learned that Ray Gilbert, longtime WPI Director of Physical Education and Athletics, passed away on August 20th. Gilbert had served in that role for 15 years from 1987 until his retirement in 2002.
During Gilbert's tenure, WPI Athletics enjoyed success 14 conference championships, 29 NCAA appearances with numerous coaches and student-athletes being honored at the conference, regional and national levels. He was also instrumental in moving WPI men's and women's athletic programs into new conferences with first the New England Women's 8 in 1988 and then later bringing both women and the majority of men's programs into present day New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). Gilbert also served as the conference's president from 1997-99 and was among those honored by the conference with as Champions of Excellence Service Award recipients as part of the NEWMAC's 25th anniversary celebration in 2022-23. He was also the president of the New England College Athletic Conference ('93-'94).
Four head coaches hired by Gilbert remain on the Engineers staff today and all are WPI Hall of Famers. The quartet includes Larry Noble of Men's Rowing, Jason Steele of Women's Rowing, Cherise Galasso of Women's Basketball and Chris Bartley of Men's Basketball.
Ray was born in 1940 in Westfield, Massachusetts and grew up in Granby, Connecticut. He played varsity basketball at Springfield College, receiving a bachelor's degree in Physical Education ('63). After earning his master's degree in Athletic Administration ('68), he was an assistant professor of physical education and the assistant men's varsity basketball coach alongside his mentor and dear friend, head coach Ed Bilik. In 1978, he became Springfield's Assistant Director of Athletics under Dr. Ed Steitz. He also coached men's and women's varsity golf and served on the faculty.
WPI Athletics would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Ray's family during this difficult time and encourage donations in Ray's name to the Second Congregational Church in Palmer, MA or to Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA. See more details of his life here.
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