Edward Rodriques has been appointed athletic director at Wareham High School.

Rodriques has served as sports director for the New Bedford Public Schools' middle school for the past five years, said Wareham High Principal Scott Palladino. He has also worked as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and as a history teacher and basketball coach at New Bedford High School.

"I am excited to have Edward Rodrigues on board. He brings passion for athletics, many years of coaching and administrative experience, and a lot of integrity," said Palladino.

Edward will be responsible for 22 varsity sports and 10 sub-varsity sports in Wareham.

"Additionally, he will be charged with trying to maintain all of the athletic programs while dealing with a dwindling athletic budget," Palladino noted.

Palladino thanked Steve Rumbolt for filling in as the interim athletic director after Marc Loranger left in September, 2012. Rumbolt serves as dean of students at the school.

"Steve did a great job of keeping the program going to get us in a position to hire an permanent athletic director," Palladino said.

Palladino added that although Rodriques is a part-time employee, he will be giving students a "full-time effort."

First on Rodriques' agenda? Hiring a field hockey coach.