Of the many things Drumgoole is fondly remembered for, his desire to serve others and make lives better tops the list.

For more than 40 years, he served the college and its students in many capacities. First serving as a guidance counselor in 1973, he became Vice President of Student Affairs (later changed to Vice President of Student Services) seven years later.

He also served a year as director of athletics in the 2009-10 semester. He was instrumental in the addition of softball in the fall of 2008 and oversaw and played a key role with the implementation of the volleyball program in the 2010 fall semester.

Drumgoole was considered a true professional and known for his enthusiastic approach to supporting the entire student population at the college.

His service to other went beyond his roles at the college. He was a longtime member of the Cain Center Board of Directors, Athens Rotary Club, Athens Economic Development Corporation and Henderson County Girls Softball Association.

He served more than 25 years as a high school football official and was a member of the Texas Association of Sports Officials. Drumgoole officiated five state championship games and one Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star game.

Drumgoole died at the age of 61 in the fall of 2011. In 2015, the Cain Park softball field, where the college’s home games are played, was named W.P. “Rip” Drumgoole Field in his honor.