Inducted in 2024
Gil Cloud has been a transformative figure for over five decades, namely in his role of Executive Director of Athletics for Tulsa Public Schools.
Cloud started as a student-athlete himself, progressing from collegiate football at the University of New Mexico to a career in athletics administration at Union Public Schools, three universities, and Tulsa Public Schools. As the Executive Director of Athletics for TPS, he spearheaded significant construction projects, raising nearly $100 million for enhanced athletic facilities. Cloud’s commitment to education-based athletics, evident in his founding of the Tulsa Public Schools Athletics Hall of Fame, garnered recognition from the National Federation of High School Activities Association and earned him multiple Athletics Director of the Year awards in Oklahoma.
Cloud’s impact extended statewide, collaborating with influential figures to elevate athletics experiences and education. His accolades include inductions into various Halls of Fame, three Oklahoma Athletics Director of the Year titles, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tulsa World in 2021. Colleagues praise his ethics, enthusiasm, and transformative leadership, citing his ability to turn struggling programs into vital components of students’ education.
Beyond Tulsa, Cloud’s influence reached as a sought-after consultant, emphasizing educationally based programming and holistic student-athlete development. In 2021, the Tulsa World recognized his lifetime achievements, solidifying Gil Cloud’s legacy as a passionate, dedicated figure profoundly impacting the lives of students and athletes. Cloud’s unwavering commitment to education and athletics shines through his profound and lasting contributions.
Educator, Athletics Administrator, Champion of Student Athletes
