CANYON, Texas – Long time West Texas A&M women's cross country coach, Kimberly Dudley, has accepted the newly created position of Director of Leadership and Mentoring for West Texas A&M Athletics. 
 
"Our Leadership & Mentoring Program will serve our student-athletes with positive reinforcement and development opportunities as they progress towards their ultimate graduation from WT," West Texas A&M Director of Athletics Michael McBroom said.  "Further, Coach Dudley will direct the professional development and mentoring for our entire coaching staff and athletic administrators.  This is cutting-edge for a Division II program and a perfect fit for Coach Dudley.   She has been a terrific sport coach as well as tremendous role model for student-athletes for the past 20 years.  Now, she moves into a role of coaching 500 student-athletes, coaches and administrators on skills that will serve each of us well in the future.   I am excited for her, but I'm more excited about the impact she will have on each of us as people and leaders on this campus."
 
Dudley completed her 20^th season at the helm of the Lady Buff Cross Country program in 2016.  She is a three-time Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year and has led the Lady Buffs to two team titles in 2012 and 2013, along with four LSC runner-up finishes over the last seven years.  She has coached three individual LSC champions, two All-Americans and guided the team to four national championship appearances since 2008. 
 
"I appreciate the opportunity to work in an area that I have always been passionate about," Dudley said.  "My love for running and young adults brought me to coaching many years ago, and now I will get to focus specifically on the mentoring and leadership side that I truly love.  I believe this new area has the potential to take our student-athletes to the "next level" in their academics, athletics, leadership, and life skills.  WT is my second home and I have made so many lasting relationships here over the last 20 years with the athletes as well as the WT community. I am so excited to start this new endeavor."
 
Dudley is one of the longest tenured athletic department staff and has numerous contacts throughout the Texas Panhandle and formed long-standing relationships with current and former WT student-athletes in all sports.  In her new role, she will be charged with providing leadership and mentoring for WT student-athletes and professional staff development for the athletic department.  Dudley will foster a culture of accountability, ownership and growth in order to achieve outstanding results.  She will be a certified trainer for StrengthsQuest and Habitudes.