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Wayne State University Athletics

Shelby Ripple Promotion

General Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Ripple Promoted To Assistant Athletic Director for Executive Operations

DETROIT -- Wayne State University Director of Athletics Erika Wallace has announced the promotion of Shelby Ripple to Assistant Athletic Director for Executive Operations.

"Shelby has earned the respect of everyone in our department through her hard work, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our student-athletes and staff," said Wallace.  "Over the past several years, she has taken on responsibilities far beyond her original role and has become an essential part of our daily operations and long-term planning.  This title change recognizes the tremendous impact she has had on Wayne State Athletics and reflects the important role she plays in our continued success.  I am grateful for all she does and excited for what lies ahead in her career."

She joined the WSU athletic department as an assistant to the Athletic Director in the summer of 2023, and was hired full-time in January of 2024 as the Athletic Department Assistant/Special Assistant to the Athletic Director.

Ripple was a member of the WSU cheerleading team from 2019-22 and served as a team captain her final two seasons.  The Plymouth, Mich., native graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies (2022), a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management (2022) and a Master of Arts degree in Sports Administration in December of 2023.

During her time as a Warrior, Ripple also served as a student assistant in the athletic department (2019-23), operations supervisor (2020-22), marketing student assistant (2020-22), Fieldhouse graduate assistant (Spring 2023), and Assistant to the Athletic Director (Fall 2023).

Ripple has been the recipient of the Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grant (2024-29); Scholarship recipient and graduate of Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit (2025) and NCAA/Women Leaders Women's Leadership Symposium (2024); was a graduate of the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar (2024) and NCAA Effective Facilitators program (2025); as well as the recipient of 2026 NACMA stipend.

She has been a member of the Detroit Red Wings Red Patrol fan experience team since 2022, and worked with the Detroit Tigers Rally Cats promotions, entertainment and fan interaction team in 2025.
 
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