Ray Purpur came to Stanford in 1994 and serves as the deputy director of athletics.
He previously was at Pacific, where he had been an assistant athletic director from 1990-1994 after starting as a graduate assistant in 1987.??
In his current position, Purpur oversees facility development, facility management, capital planning and real estate. The management of the Stanford Golf Course, the Stanford Campus Recreation Association, and the Stanford Red Barn Equestrian Center also report directly to Purpur.
Purpur hired the first head coach and was part of the startup for the women’s lightweight rowing program.
During his time on The Farm, Purpur has managed over $425 million in athletic and campus recreation facility projects.
Purpur has overseen the development of athletic facilities including competition and practice sites for track and field, softball, field hockey, soccer, rugby, fencing, swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming, squash, golf, sailing and rowing.
Major projects have included the Avery Aquatic Center, Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation, Maples Pavilion, Stanford Campus Recreation Association and Stanford Stadium.
Even more, he has spearheaded the renovation of Cagan Stadium, Arrillaga Outdoor Education and Recreation Center, field hockey stadium and locker room, sand volleyball stadium and the addition to the Arrillaga Family Sports Center. All other athletic and recreational facilities have seen major renovations to keep them modern and up to current standards.??
Active in the community, Purpur is past president of both the San Joaquin American Heart Association and the Child Abuse Prevention Council and past chairperson of the San Jose Arena Authority. He is a current board member of the Positive Coaching Alliance, University of the Pacific Athletic Advisory Board, and president of the Stanford University Faculty Club.?
Purpur graduated from North Dakota with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He obtained a master's degree from Pacific in sport administration.
He and his wife, Terrie, are the parents of Alicia and Ryan, and live on Stanford’s campus.