Dr. Patrick O'Brien

Dr. J. Patrick O'Brien was named the 10th president of West Texas A&M University by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Feb. 21, 2006. He hit the ground running May 15, familiarizing himself with the area's people and programs, initiating a review of the University's strategic plan and overseeing an academic realignment that, among other things, creates a new College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

O'Brien came to WTAMU from Loyola University New Orleans, where he served as dean of the College of Business Administration and professor of economics beginning in 1995. Under his leadership, endowments and the number of endowed chairs and professorships increased significantly, and the college was ranked seventh in the nation by The Princeton Review for providing opportunities to minority students.

A native of Tennessee, O'Brien earned baccalaureate (economics) and master's (agricultural economics) degrees from Auburn University in 1967 and 1969, respectively. He received his Ph.D. in economics with areas of specialization in monetary economics, public finance and regional economics from Oklahoma State University in 1977.

O'Brien started his career in academia as an instructor at OSU before accepting positions as an assistant professor of economics at Bowling Green State University (1974-1977) and then at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

He remained at UAF until 1991, leaving his position as professor and head of the Department of Economics to accept a dean's appointment with the College of Commerce and Business Administration at Jacksonville State University (1991-1995).

O'Brien received outstanding faculty awards at UAF and Loyola New Orleans and is active in civic and professional organizations.

O'Brien is a member of the NCAA DII Presidents Council. Locally, he serves as the co-chair for the United Way Campaign of Amarillo/Canyon and on the boards of the Northwest Texas Healthcare System and the Ascension Academy Community Advisory Consortium.

In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, golf, amateur astronomy and reading.

The O'Briens have two adult sons and three grandchildren.

Michael McBroom

Innovative. Progressive. Proactive. Since taking the reins of the West Texas A&M Athletics program in May, 2006, Michael McBroom has elevated the program, as a whole, to previously unseen levels of success. Whether it be in the form of coaching and administrative hirings, strategic planning, facility upgrades or community outreach, the results are nothing short of remarkable.

Since arriving on campus as West Texas A&M's Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of the Buffalo Club in 2000, McBroom has tirelessly worked to bring WT Athletics to new heights, both on and off the field.

Long a believer that collegiate athletics play an important role in the lives of student-athletes and are beneficial for the university and community at-large, McBroom established a five-year strategic plan for Buffalo athletics that focuses on the complete student-athlete experience; building championship programs for all sports as well as improving the academic performance of student-athletes. Full scholarship funding for all sports and first-class playing and practice facilities are top priorities.

The addition of a sports complex to the north side of the WT campus is just the latest project which he has guided to reality. The complex, which will break ground in Fall 2009, will feature varsity playing fields for soccer, baseball, softball and track & field, a practice field for the WT marching band, as well as intramural fields for the general student body as well as the citizens of the Amarillo-Canyon area.

Marketing, ticket sales and fundraising have also been targeted to help elevate West Texas A&M's overall athletic program. During his tenure as athletics director, the program has implemented an Academic Success program, incorporated a comprehensive strength and conditioning program, revamped both the athletic training program and media relations operations and increased scholarship funding for all women's sports.

Victories have followed, both on the playing field as well as in the classroom.

McBroom's family has long ties to the Canyon area. His father is a WTAMU graduate and both grandmothers worked at the university for many years.

A 1992 graduate of Southern Methodist University, McBroom earned his master's degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in July, 2006. Prior to joining West Texas A&M's athletic department, he was a marketing executive in the private sector.

He and his wife, Jackie, have two daughters, Ally and Zoey, and reside in Canyon.

Dr. David Rausch

Rausch has served as WTAMU's Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) since January, 2003, promoting academic integrity in intercollegiate athletics and to promote institutional control of athletics.

As Faculty Athletics Representative, Rausch represents the university at meetings of the NCAA and the Lone Star Conference. He joined the faculty in 1998 and teaches courses on American political institutions, state and local government, and social science research methods and statistics.

A native of southeastern Pennsylvania, Rausch earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989, and his master's (1992) and Ph.D. (1995) from the University of Oklahoma, all in political science. He and his wife, Mary, a WTAMU librarian, reside in Canyon.

Holly Troth

Holly Troth is in her 24th year in the department, where she serves as Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator. She is responsible for the daily operations of the athletic office and oversees the financial functions of the department.

As Senior Woman Administrator, Troth participates on the senior management team, manages gender equity and Title IX plans and issues, advocates issues important to female and male student-athletes, coaches and staff, and helps student-athletes balance academics and athletics.

Troth is a 1996 graduate of the NACWAA/HERS Institute and, in May, 2009, she completed graduation requirements for the NACWAA Leadership Enhancement Institute. She also serves on the NACWAA Membership Retention Committee.

She earned both her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's of Arts degree in Communications from WTAMU and resides in Canyon.

Kent Johnson

Now in his second year at his alma mater, Kent Johnson coordinates the media relations and publicity efforts for the West Texas A&M intercollegiate athletics program.

Johnson has 19 years of Division I and II intercollegiate athletics experience. He previously was Assistant AD for Media Relations at Indiana State from 1999-2002. From 1989-98 he served as Associate SID at Texas Christian University, with earlier stints as assistant SID at both Tulane (1987-88) and Southern Methodist (1985-86).

Prior to joining the WT athletics staff, the Fort Worth native served in a media relations role with Andretti Green Racing from 2004-2007 after spending 2003 as Director of Media Relations for the Indy Racing League. In 1998 he was Director of Media Relations for Tyler Jet Motorsports' NASCAR program.

Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio/TV from West Texas A&M in 1984.

He and his wife, Chantal, have a daughter, Skyler, and a son, Alex.

Dee Dee Bennett

Bennett enters her second year with the WTAMU Athletic Department. Her responsibilities include corporate sponsorships, marketing and promotions for Buffalo Athletics.

Prior to joining the WT athletics staff, Bennett partnered with Campus Design and the Athletic Department to launch Buffalo Authentic, making a variety of WT logoed merchandise available at sporting events such as football and basketball. Previously, Dee Dee has served as a senior marketing and sales executive, handling account for companies such as Alltel, Nextel, Sprint, Control Technologies and Action Printing.

A native of Borger, Texas, she and her husband, Marc, and their six daughters, Amanda, Brooke, Katie, Hannah, Hailey and Kenadee reside in Canyon.

Kelvin Ford

Kelvin Ford is in his first academic year as a member of the WTAMU senior athletics management staff, and brings a solid background in intercollegiate athletics compliance and administration to the WTAMU program. Most recently, he served three years as Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance at Merrimack College, where he was responsible for the supervision of the women's volleyball, as well as the men's and women's soccer programs, while also serving as Chair of the College Athletic Scholarship Committee, as well as on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee. His leadership assisted Merrimack with the National Collegiate Scouting Association

From 2002 until 2006, Ford was Assistant Director of Enforcement for the NCAA. During that time, he was recognized as `Who's Who American in Indianapolis' by a professional publication.

Previously, he served a four-year stint at the NCAA national office, as well as being responsible for educating student-athletes on the NCAA and its rules and regulations, as well as life skills. Ford has also served in the Office of the Ohio Public Defender as a mitigation specialist (1998-2002) and program coordinator at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction at the North Central Correctional Institution (1995-98).

A 1993 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and pursued his Master's degree from Indiana Institute of Technology. During his student-athlete experience, he earned three letters in football, participating on two NCAA National Champion semi-finalist teams and one Ohio Valley Conference Championship team. He is a 2008 graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minorities, is a member of NACDA and the Black Coaches and Administrators Association.

John Hasse

The senior member of the Buffalo Athletic department, Hasse is in his 27th year with WTAMU Athletics. Charged with overseeing the internal operations for the department, Hasse's duties include concessions, facilities and summer camps.

Well versed in WTAMU athletics history, in 1993 Hasse received the WTAMU Alumni Association's University's Excellence Award. John's father, Warren, served as the play-by-play announcer for Buffalo athletics for nearly 40 years and was inducted in the WTAMU Hall of Champions in 1993. Hasse resides in Canyon.

Misty Hobbs

Misty Hobbs begins her fourth year with WTAMU and first as Assistant Athletics Director for Event Operations. She previously served as the administrative assistant and box office manager at the First United Bank Center. Her responsibilities include all event operations and scheduling for the athletics department, including concerts, as well as the day-to-day operations in the FUBC.

She has served the University in various capacities, as a graduate assistant and a student administrative assistant in the mathematics department.

Hobbs also traveled to Australia with WTAMU and the American Quarter Horse Association as a guest lecturer. She spent time in Myrtle Beach, S. C., as a performer, animal trainer, and sound operator for Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede show.

An El Paso, Texas native, Hobbs earned her bachelor's degree in music business in 2002 and master's degree in business administration in 2006 from WTAMU. She currently resides in Canyon, Texas.

Andi Leavitt

Andi Leavitt enters her second year with the WT athletics department, having joined the staff as Athletic Media Relations Assistant Director prior to the 2008 season. She assists in coordinating the media relations and publicity efforts for the West Texas A&M intercollegiate athletics program, with her primary duties revolving around the Lady Buff volleyball and basketball programs, as well as assisting with other aspects of the department's media relations operations.

Prior to returning to her alma mater, the Balko, Okla., native spent the a year serving as the Media Relations Director with the Amarillo Dusters arena football team. In that capacity, she coordinated all media relations activities for the franchise, as well as service as the team's liaison with the af2 league. Leavitt also assisted the organization in the areas of corporate, group and season ticket sales.

A 2007 graduate of WTAMU, Leavitt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. She and her husband, Tyler, reside in Vega, Texas.

Phil Woodall

Now in his seventh year with the WTAMU athletic department, Phil Woodall has been broadcasting Buffalo Athletics' action for the past 21 years. In addition to his broadcast duties, he coordinates all logistical matters for WTAMU Athletics on the Buffalo Sports Network, as well as filing reports on WTAMU athletics and other local sports for KGNC-AM.

Recipient of three straight Jake Trussell Awards as the Lone Star Conference Broadcaster of the Year from 1997-1999, Woodall previously served as Randall County Justice of the Peace from 1979-2002.

A 1979 West Texas A&M University graduate, he and his wife, Nancy, reside in Amarillo.

Joe Ray Halsey

Now in his second year with the WT athletic family, Joe Ray Halsey serves as the Executive Director of the Buffalo Club, the primary scholarship and support organization for West Texas A&M Athletics.

A native of Perryton, Texas, Halsey earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in Education from WTAMU. He went on to teach and coach baseball and football for 35 years, including two years at Perryton High School, 28 years at Andrews High School and five years at Dallas Jesuit Preparatory. Following his retirement in 1999, he was inducted into the Texas high School Coaches Association Baseball Hall of Fame.

Halsey's wife, Vickie, is also a WTAMU graduate and a retired school teacher.

Janice Mackie

Janice Mackie, administrative secretary, is serving in her 15th year with the WT athletics department. She was at "The Box" for eight years, working with men's and women's basketball, volleyball and athletic summer camps. She also served as ticket manager for three years and was the first ticket manager for the First United Bank Center.

Janice has an Associate Degree in Business. A native of Pampa, Texas, she now resides in Amarillo.

Debra Carter

Handling the day-to-day administrative duties of the WTAMU Athletic Department is Debra Carter. Now in her fifth year in the WTAMU athletic department, she has two daughters, one son-in-law and two grandchildren (Dyne and Tereis). Carter resides in Canyon.