West Texas A&M University Athletics

The WTAMU Athletic Hall of Champions recognizes the finest student-athletes, coaches, administrators and other notable individuals who have contributed to the success of West Texas A&M Athletics. To be elected, nominees must receive at least two-thirds of a majority vote of support by the Selection Committee and subsequently ratified by the current Vice President of Athletics and University President.  

Eligibility for Consideration
To be considered for election into the Hall of Champions, nominees must have competed or been employed for/by To be considered for election into the Hall of Champions, nominees must have competed or been employed for/by WTAMU for a minimum of one full season and be at least five years removed from their last date of competition and/or employment. Only in special circumstances will the five year requirement be waived, at the request of the Selection Committee and with the subsequent approval of both the Vice President of Athletics and University President. Further, nominees will have been outstanding athletes, coaches, or administrators during their WTAMU career and/or achieved notable success in their professional careers after their matriculation from WTAMU. It is preferred, but not necessary for a nominee to have graduated from West Texas A&M University. 

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM

Selection Committee
The selection committee will be comprised of twenty-three (23) individuals serving three-year terms. Committee members are selected by the Vice President of Athletics and approved by the University President as follows:

• Eight (8) current members of the Hall of Champions, preferably representing different eras and different sports and different genders;
• Four (4) current Head Coaches at WTAMU with the longest tenure among the coaching staff;
• Four (4) current members of the Buffalo Club;
• Three (3) current athletics administration personnel (not the Athletic Director);
• Three (3) current University staff or faculty members not affiliated with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics with at least 10 years of service to the University;
• One (1) current member of the local media.

Committee members may serve no more than two consecutive terms, but there is no limit on the number of times a committee member may serve. Selection Committee members are not required to attend meetings in person. Tele-conferencing and video conferencing are available if necessary. A quorum of 15 Committee members is required for voting on all candidates. The voting process should be electronic and confidential.     

Hall of Champions Selection Process
The Selection Committee’s primary responsibility is to narrow the field of nominees and determine the individuals who should be recommended to the Director of Athletics and University President for induction into the Hall of Champions. A minimum of one (1) and a maximum of six (6) inductees is permitted per year.
 
A quorum of a minimum of 15 committee members is required for official voting on nominees. Nominees must receive at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Selection Committee to be considered for induction.  Should more than six (6) nominees receive the required minimum number of votes, the committee should narrow the field by tallying the total votes for each nominee. The top four nominees who received votes would then be identified as the recommended Induction Class. If the field is still larger than six (6), the committee must narrow the Class to six (6) through any means they deem fair and equitable. If a consensus on the top four is still impossible, the Chairperson, Vice-Chair and the longest tenured Head Coach will vote to determine the four nominees to be recommended for Induction.
 
The Selection Committee is encouraged to give additional and thoughtful consideration to nominees whose careers occurred more than 30 years ago, to ensure the Hall of Champions includes members from all eras and sports that comprise the rich history of the Buffs and Lady Buffs.  
 
The committee may also consider a specific team for induction, outside of the normal individual induction limits. No more than one team shall be included in an Induction Class.  
 
The Selection Committee should meet as necessary to review nominees and determine the Induction Class. Members do not need to be present at meetings, provided telephone or videoconferencing is available that allow for participation and discussion. Committee members must vote using the prescribed voting and tabulation method for that year. Proxy votes are not permitted. 
 
Legacy Award
The Hall of Champions Selection Committee is also charged with selecting a Legacy Award winner(s) each year. The Legacy Award was established in 2008 to recognize individuals and organizations not eligible for the Hall of Champions, but who have made significant lifetime contributions (service, financial or another form of support) to the success and legacy of West Texas A&M Athletics. This may include fans, boosters or an organization that has provided distinguished support. The Selection Committee may recommend up to two Legacy Award winners each year. Nominations for Legacy Award honorees may be made by any individual or organization. Legacy Award winners will be recognized at the Hall of Champions Induction Dinner and be included in a permanent display alongside the Hall of Champions.
 
Formal Approval of the Induction Class
Once the Selection Committee has determined the final slate of nominees for the Induction Class and Legacy Award recipients, the Chairperson will forward the list of recommended nominees to the Vice President of Athletics within 24 hours of the Committee’s final recommendation meeting.  
 
Within seven days of receipt of recommended nominees, the Vice President of Athletics and University President will meet to discuss the merits of each candidate, and they must be in agreement that a candidate meets the criteria for the Hall of Champions in order to be approved for Induction or to receive the Legacy Award. Once the review is complete, the Vice President of Athletics will notify the Chairperson of their decision to approve or reject the Induction Class as a whole, or any specific nominee individually. Nominees who are not approved may be recommended for induction in subsequent years, provided they again receive the votes required for consideration.    
 
Induction Ceremony
Upon receiving approval from the University President and Vice President of Athletics regarding the recommendations of the Selection Committee, honorees should be notified by the Chairperson of their election within 48 hours.  
 
The Class will be inducted at a ceremony with current Hall of Champions members on the Friday evening preceding a home football game. The exact date will be determined by the Vice President of Athletics and the event coordinated, developed and executed by the Athletics Department.   
 
The Master of Ceremonies will be chosen by the Vice President of Athletics or a designee. Although attendance is preferred, it is not required that inductees be present during the ceremonies. Newly inducted members will also be recognized at halftime of the football game held the following day.
 
The Department of Athletics will provide local hotel accommodations for inductees and their immediate family, if necessary.
   
Current Hall of Champions Members (8)  -  Term Expiration
Chontiquah White (Women's Basketball, HOC Class of 2021)  -  September 2025
Libby Strickland (Women’s Track & Field, HOC Class of 2022)  -  September 2026
JR Compton (Football, HOC Class of 2003)  -  September 2024
Dalton Bell (Football, HOC Class of 2013)  -  September 2026
Rick Cooper (Men's Basketball, HOC Class of 2019)  -  September 2026
Scott Doores (Basketball, HOC Class of 2006)  -  September 2024
Kendra Morgan Potts (Volleyball, HOC Class of 2016)  -  September 2025
Dr. Patrick O'Brien (Administration, HOC Class of 2022)  -  September 2025

Current Head Coaches with Longest Tenure at WTAMU (6)
Tom Brown (Men's Basketball)
Meredith Jameson (Women’s Golf)                                                                         
Butch Lauffer (Men’s Soccer)                                                                          
Matt Stewart (Track & Field)

Buffalo Club Members (4)  -  Term Expiration
Bruce Barrett  -  September 2024
Mary Lou Lyons  -  September 2026
Jule Minium  -  September 2024
Judy Fugate  -  September 2025

WTAMU Athletics Staff (3)
Kimberly Dudley, Chair                                                                                                  
Kent Johnson, Vice-Chair
Brent Seals, Voting Director

WTAMU Faculty/Staff (3)  -  Term Expiration
Dr. Blake Price, College of Nursing & Health Sciences - September 2026
Ronnie Hall, Alumni Association - September 2025
Justin Cornelsen, Student Affairs - September 2026

Media  -  (Term Expiration)
Lucas Kinsey, WT Sports Network  -  September 2025