Happy New Year, Buff Nation! 

As we roll into 2026 it is a good time to reflect back on the fall season and give an update on our future. 

The fall season was highlighted by two Lone Star Conference championships by our men's and women's cross-country teams, as well as both teams advancing to compete at the NCAA DII National Championships.   

Our football team went 8-4 on the season, including the most LSC wins since 2012 and retaining the Wagon Wheel for the second consecutive season. The Buffaloes led the NCAA DII in offense while quarterback RJ Martinez led the country in passing. The Buffs ended the season second in the LSC, which earned them a berth to the Heritage Bowl were the team won their 7^th bowl game in school history.

On the pitch women's soccer increased their win total from 2024, as well as total goals by 30% and beat arch rival ENMU on the road to take home the Futbol version of the Wagon Wheel under first year Head Coach, Bulut Ozturk.

Lady Buff Volleyball had another impressive year going 23-4 and advancing to the NCAA DII South Central Semi-finals under first year Head Coach, Terry Gamble.

Last spring, we introduced the athletics department "The West Texas A&M Way" Strategic Plan. 

Our Big Five Strategic Initiatives are Leadership Development, Championship Culture, Fan Experience, Community Outreach and Financial Metrics. These initiatives give us the direction for our future in the rapidly changing environment. 

In August, we opened the new nutrition hub inside the Bain Athletic Center for pre and post workout supplements. This has been highly successful and we are looking at ways to expand our food offerings to our student-athletes for next year. 

As we emphasize leadership development, I am extremely proud of our student-athletes work in the classroom this fall as they earned a 3.12 overall total GPA along with six Lone Star Conference all-academic honorees.

We continue to look to strategically position our teams for sustained success while creating a championship culture that will empower our student-athletes to consistently compete for championships. Having state of the art facilities is a key component, that's why I am spearheading plans for a handful of facilities enhancements. More to come on these projects in the next few months.

Fostering innovation and strategy in our social media outreach has accelerated our momentum over the past 12 months and positioned West Texas A&M to be showcased on a national scale. During this period our platforms generated over 23.4 million impressions, increased engagement by 20.1%, added more than 14,000 new followers and delivered a strong 3.7% engagement rate. This digital momentum creates a powerful foundation to build upon by expanding our reach, amplifying our programs, and directly enhancing NIL opportunities by increasing visibility and value for our student-athletes.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is no longer an emerging component of collegiate athletics, it is a permanent and defining factor in recruiting, retention, and competitive success. To attract and retain top-level talent, we must be prepared to compete by offering student-athletes premium NIL opportunities. Texas Tech provides a compelling example of what is possible when an institution embraces this reality. By moving beyond their traditional approaches and aligning with forward-thinking donors who believed in their vision, Texas Tech differentiated itself in a crowded marketplace and have successfully turned their programs and brand into a winning national focal point. With the commitment and partnership of Buff Nation, this potential can become a powerful reality for our student-athletes.

The WT NIL Marketplace is open for business and provides a direct, meaningful way for individuals and businesses to support our student-athletes. Through the marketplace, partners can work directly with athletes, creating authentic relationships while delivering immediate financial impact. Additional revenue-share opportunities through Influxer and Athlete's Thread allow supporters to purchase co-branded apparel featuring an athlete's name and jersey number, with a portion of each sale going directly to the athlete. As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, additional NIL avenues are in development to further expand opportunity and impact.

I believe in today's collegiate athletics climate to make a difference in recruiting and retention we need to double down on these three core ideas of state-of-the-art facilities, improved media exposure and NIL strategy. Which creates the best student-athlete experience. We have the vision and we have the plan, now it is time to act!

Buff Nation how can you help? 

Consider donating to the Excellence Fund, become a member of our Buffalo Athletic Club, follow our student-athletes on social media, buy season tickets or participate in our NIL Marketplace. A new era of collegiate athletics has begun which is a new opportunity for West Texas A&M to elevate our brand and create a new pathway to be leaders. We need Buff Nation to come together to make a difference! As collegiate athletics is rapidly changing and it's our responsibility to change with it. To grow new revenue streams and enhance existing ones to secure the long-term financial strength and success of WT athletics.

Our investment level must match our expectation level. Make an impact today.

I am looking forward to the spring semester. I hope to see you at an upcoming basketball game at the First United Bank Center. Also, please don't forget that the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building Grand Opening will be on January 22^nd at 10:00am. 

Go Buffs!
 
Doug Lipinski
Vice President of Athletics
 
#WESTisBEST