Al Capitos oversees all new construction, remodeling, renovations and maintenance and operations of all Purdue Athletics buildings and grounds. He was promoted to assistant athletics director in 2017, and was elevated again to associate athletics director in June 2022.
During his time at Purdue, Capitos has been instrumental in the development and construction of the NWAS Complex, 2011 Mackey Arena Renovation, Kozuch Football Performance Complex, 2020 Ross Ade Scoreboard project, BRES academic center improvements and several office renovations.
Capitos came to Purdue in 2005 as sports turf and maintenance superintendent. In that role, he was responsible for the daily operation of all outdoor sporting venues, overseeing routine and specialized facility maintenance, turf care and custodial services.
Previously, Capitos served as campus grounds manager at Johns Hopkins University (2003-05), head groundskeeper of the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards (1999-2003), head groundskeeper of the Bowie (Maryland) Baysox (1998-99) and assistant field maintenance manager of the Richmond (Virginia) Braves (1998).
A native of State College, Pennsylvania, Capitos earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy/turfgrass science from Penn State University in 1998. He served with distinction in the United States Air Force as a flight technician from 1991 to 1996, earning the Air Force Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with one bronze service star (for duty during the Persian Gulf War) and Combat Readiness Medal as part of an aircrew position in an aircraft that can be used in combat.
During his time at Purdue, Capitos has been instrumental in the development and construction of the NWAS Complex, 2011 Mackey Arena Renovation, Kozuch Football Performance Complex, 2020 Ross Ade Scoreboard project, BRES academic center improvements and several office renovations.
Capitos came to Purdue in 2005 as sports turf and maintenance superintendent. In that role, he was responsible for the daily operation of all outdoor sporting venues, overseeing routine and specialized facility maintenance, turf care and custodial services.
Previously, Capitos served as campus grounds manager at Johns Hopkins University (2003-05), head groundskeeper of the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards (1999-2003), head groundskeeper of the Bowie (Maryland) Baysox (1998-99) and assistant field maintenance manager of the Richmond (Virginia) Braves (1998).
A native of State College, Pennsylvania, Capitos earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy/turfgrass science from Penn State University in 1998. He served with distinction in the United States Air Force as a flight technician from 1991 to 1996, earning the Air Force Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with one bronze service star (for duty during the Persian Gulf War) and Combat Readiness Medal as part of an aircrew position in an aircraft that can be used in combat.