Dr. Patrick O'Brien

O'Brien comes 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. He enjoys fishing, golf, amateur astronomy and reading.

Camping is no longer on his list of favorite pastimes. He and wife, Karen, have been living in a home severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. They reside on the second floor and use a FEMA trailer parked outside to cook and shower.

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. Marketing, ticket sales and fundraising have also been targeted to help elevate West Texas A&M's overall athletic program.

During his early tenure as athletics director, the program has implemented an Academic Success program, incorporated a comprehensive strength and conditioning program, revamped the athletic training program 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.

Holly Troth

Holly Troth begins her 24th year in the department and will serve as Associate Athletic Director for Administration and Senior Woman Administrator. She is responsible for management of the athletic office and oversees the compliance and 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.

She also serves as the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Coordinator, works with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and is the advisor for the cheerleaders and mascot. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from WTAMU and resides in Canyon.

Kent Johnson

Kent Johnson returns to his alma mater as Athletic Media Relations Director, coordinating the media relations and publicity efforts for the West Texas A&M intercollegiate athletics program.

Most recently, the Fort Worth native spent four years in professional motorsports, serving as Director of Media Relations for the Indy Racing League (2003) before moving into a media relations role with Andretti Green Racing from 2004-2007. In 1998 he was Director of Media Relations for Tyler Jet Motorsports' NASCAR program.

He also brings 18 years of Division I intercollegiate athletics experience to his role with WT. He was Assistant AD for Media Relations at Indiana State from 1999-2002. In that role, he oversaw publicity efforts for the Sycamores' football and men's basketball programs, coordinated the Sycamore Radio Network, as well as overseeing all aspects of media relations for the 15-sport program. From 1989-98 he served as Associate SID at Texas Christian University, in addition to stints as assistant SID at Tulane (1987-88) and Southern Methodist (1985-86).

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.

Phil Woodall

Woodall is in his sixth year with WTAMU and has been calling Buffalo Athletics' action on the radio for the past 20 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.

Dee Dee Bennett

Bennett is in her first year as Director of Corporate Relations with the WTAMU Athletic Department. Her responsibilities include raising funds through Corporate partnerships, advertising sales and marketing.

Most recently, she 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.

Paul Sweetgall

Now in his ninth year with WTAMU, Sweetgall is responsible for the overall financial operations for the WTAMU Athletics Department. He will begin his second season as men's cross country coach, and will assume the role of director of operations for the track and field program. Sweetgall holds memberships in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, and in USA Track and Field.

He previously worked in athletics administration at both Emporia State University and Missouri Western State University.

Sweetgall earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from The Ohio State University. He and his wife, Linda, have a daughter, Lindsey, and reside in Canyon.

John Hasse

The senior member of the Buffalo Athletic department, Hasse is in his 26th year with WTAMU Athletics. Charged with overseeing the internal operations for the department, Hasse's duties include facilities, summer camps and game management.

Well versed in WTAMU athletics history, Hasse received the WTAMU Alumni Association's University's Excellence Award in 1993. 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.

Tyler Dongen

Dongen is in his second year with Buffalo Athletics. His responsibilities include ticketing and coordinating various financial aspects of the athletic department. Dongen is a graduate of WTAMU, earning his bachelor's degree in 2003 and his master's in 2006. For two years he worked in the athletic office as a graduate assistant under Paul Sweetgall before assuming his current position.

During his undergraduate studies he played on the WTAMU men's soccer team from 1999-2002. Dongen hails from Toronto, Canada, and currently resides in Canyon.

Janice Mackie

Janice Mackie, administrative secretary, is serving in her 14th 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.

Derba Carter

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