West Texas A&M University Athletics

The R. B. Cousins Era, 1910-1918
On September 20, 1910, almost exactly a year after the announcement of the location committee's decision, President R. B. Cousins and a faculty of 16 welcomed 152 students to West Texas State Normal College. By the end of the first three quarters, total enrollment had risen to 227. Enrollment rose steadily and passed the 500 mark in 1913, seemingly indicating a bright future for the new institution. Click Here to read more!

The J. A. Hill Era, 1918-1948
In September 1918, R. B. Cousins resigned as president and the Board of Regents promptly selected as his replacement History Professor J.A. Hill, who would hold the office for the next 30 years.  Click Here to read more!

The James P. Cornette Era, 1948-1973
With the retirement of J.A. Hill in 1948, much of responsibility for dealing with the explosive growth of the college in the postwar period fell to its third president, James P. Cornette. One of the first changes would be the curriculum and its administration. In 1950 all departmental offerings were assigned to four divisions: Humanities; Social Sciences; Sciences; and Professional and Vocational. Each division had a head who reported to the dean of the college. Perhaps in anticipation of these changes, the word "Teachers" was dropped from the college's name in 1949. The following year the training school closed. Henceforth education students would conduct their observations and student teaching in neighboring schools. Click Here to read more!

The University Under Watkins, Sherman, Shannon and Roach, 1973-1989
By the fall of 1973, when Lloyd Watkins became the institution's fourth president, external events were already pushing the University in a different direction. After peaking in 1969 and 1970 at just short of 8,000, enrollment began a steep downward slide. Of the many factors in this turnaround, it is likely that changes in the selective service system and increases in tuition were primary. Because the University's funding was largely enrollment driven, a nearly 20 percent decline in the student body between 1970 and 1972, when combined with the inflationary pressures of the early 1970s, created serious financial problems for the school. The Board of Regents temporarily suspended the granting of tenure and promotions, and many non-tenured faculty were terminated. Adding to the financial woes were substantial deficits in the annual athletic budget.  Click Here to read more!

System Membership and the University Under Thompson and Long, 1989-2005
Early in 1989 changes in higher education within Texas had opened the question of whether WTSU should join either the University of Texas or The Texas A&M University System. After considerable study, the WTSU regents voted in October to join the A&M system. The Coordinating Board gave its approval in January 1990 and consequently on Sept. 1, 1990, WTSU became a member of The Texas A&M University System. The responsibility for selecting a successor to Roach thus fell to the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System. The regents moved quickly and named Barry B. Thompson, president of Tarleton State University, to head WTSU.

Long, the University's ninth president, spearheaded implementation of a number of new academic programs, while others have been enhanced under his watch. The University's first doctoral program, a Ph.D. in agriculture, was established in 2003, while new programs in dryland agriculture, equine industries, environmental science, integrated pest management, emergency management systems, athletic training and communication disorders are among other highlights of Long's tenure. Also a proponent of distance learning, Long pushed for construction of the University's state-of-the-art Hastings Electronic Learning Center, an asset that has made WTAMU a leader in distance education in Texas. Other physical additions to the campus during Long's tenure include renovation of residence halls, the library, dining hall and Alumni Banquet Facility, the privatization of McCaslin Hall, the leasing of University land for the city's first franchise hotel, and construction of the Bivins Nursing Learning Center, the $13.9 million First United Bank Event Center and the $30 million Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex. Long stepped down from the presidency Dec. 31, 2005.  Click Here to read more!

The University Under O'Brien, 2006-Present
Dr. J. Patrick O’Brien was named the 10th president of West Texas A&M University on Feb. 21, 2006.  His presidency is marked by a number of important accomplishments including an unprecedented increase in enrollment throughout his tenure. Enrollment has grown from 7,412 in the fall of 2006 to 8,970 in the fall of 2014, the highest in WTAMU history. The increase in enrollment of more than 20 percent in eight years occurred in large part to aggressive recruiting: statewide, nationwide and internationally.

Athletics at WTAMU also has excelled under O’Brien. In 2013 the West Texas A&M equestrian team won its second Western National Championship at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and in 2014, Lady Buff softball brought home a national championship, while women’s basketball was the NCAA runner-up for the 2013-2014 season. Football at WTAMU also has boasted many winning seasons during O’Brien’s tenure, including a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2013. The University’s track and field, volleyball and cross country teams also have earned national and/or regional recognition. Plus, WTAMU led the 2014 LSC spring commissioner’s honor roll with 146 student-athletes.

Another milestone during O’Brien’s tenure is the successful completion of WTAMU’s Share Your Pride comprehensive capital campaign in 2014. The campaign surpassed its goal and raised $50,306,904—$19,181,599 for program enhancement, $11,813,282 for scholarships and $19,312,022 for capital projects.

There have been numerous changes during the presidency of Dr. J. Patrick O’Brien, and with these changes it makes sense that WTAMU enjoys a national ranking as a top university. Click Here to read more!