Tupelo Public School District’s new athletic director Eddie Moore said he plans to make Tupelo athletics better.

“I want to make it more successful than it’s ever been,” he said.

Moore said that he wants all sports at Tupelo High School to unite. He added that he would “like to see all of the teams come together to support one another and pull for each other.”

Moore said all sports are important to him.

“I’ve been involved with sports all of my life,” Moore explained. “I still love the games, all of them, and as a principal I had to cover a lot of them, but I couldn’t concentrate on athletics as much.”

Moore has experience as a teacher, principal, track and cross country coach, and athletic director in his previous school districts, including Pontotoc and Itawamba. Going into his 16th year in education, Moore said he enjoys his position as athletic director because he is passionate about sports and that being able to be involved with all of them is what he loves.

“This gives me the opportunity to really concentrate on athletics,” Moore said. “It’s really a passion of mine.”

Moore’s experience and love for both sports and the classroom will benefit the district, said Braden Bishop, Tupelo’s sports information director.

“Moore will bring a good, close tie between athletics and the classroom,” Bishop said. “I expect him to have a big transition this year since he is coming from an administrative position to athletic director.”

Moore replaced Andy Schoggin, who moved to Petal. Moore was Tupelo’s programs director last year and has also been a part of the curriculum department.

Moore also said he would would like to see the graduation rate for student athletes increase, which reinforces his passion for academics and athletes’ success. Though impressed with Tupelo’s facilities and equipment, Moore explained that a new, improved weight room is one of his first plans of action as the new AD.

“I think better facilities in the weight room would help every sport get stronger,” he said.

Student athletes Satsha Burden and Ali Watts agreed. Burden, a junior on Tupelo’s powerlifting team, said that an improved weight room with newer equipment would help all athletes.

“Better machines mean better workouts and better results,” said Watts, a senior softball player.

Moore also said he plans to continue the tradition of the “All Wave. All Sports.” banner, which was started when Schoggin was the athletic director. This banner pictures one senior athlete from each team in their uniform. The banner hangs in the cafeteria and on the scoreboard on the football field. It is also displayed on billboards around town.

Head football coach Trent Hammond only has praise for Moore.

“I think he is a great asset to Tupelo High athletics,” said Hammond, who explained that a new weight training facility would benefit all 22 teams. “He brings diversity because he has coached other sports than football.”