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Administration
Dr. Patrick O'Brien
 University President

Dr. Patrick O'Brien
Dr. J. Patrick O'Brien was named the 10th president of West Texas A&M University by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Feb. 21. His appointment is effective May 15.

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.

The O'Briens have two adult sons and three grandchildren.



Michael McBroom

After spending the previous six years on the senior staff and helping to lead West Texas A&M Athletics to new heights of success both on and off the field, Michael McBroom was announced as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics on May 16, 2006, by school President Dr. J. Patrick O'Brien.

McBroom has served at West Texas A&M since 2000 as Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of the Buffalo Club. He succeeds Ed Harris, WTAMU Athletic Director since 1995, who announced his retirement in December of last year.

Born in Canyon and with many family ties to the region, McBroom is a 1992 graduate of Southern Methodist University and will receive a master's degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy in July. He was a marketing executive in the private sector prior to joining West Texas A&M's athletic department, where he assumed responsibility for all fund raising, communications and marketing.

Since he joined WTAMU athletics, McBroom developed a comprehensive 10-year fund-raising plan that has resulted in a 65-percent increase in annual revenues. Buffalo Club membership has soared by 125 percent to more than 700 members, and corporate partnerships have increased from 60 in 2000 to more than 100 today.

"I think Michael will make an outstanding athletic director," said O'Brien, "He's done an exceptional job with respect to fund raising and external relations and comes highly recommended by coaches and staff as well as alumni and supporters of the program."

"He's got great ideas, and I know he will provide outstanding leadership for our intercollegiate athletic program."

While working with Harris, McBroom assisted in daily decisions related to personnel, NCAA legislation, strategic planning, event and facilities management and budgeting.

He and his wife, Jackie, have two daughters, Ally and Zoey, and reside in Canyon.









Holly Troth

Troth, who is in her 22nd year with Buffalo Athletics, is the Senior Woman Administrator, Student Services Coordinator, and Academic and Compliance Director. Troth currently serves as the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills Coordinator and works with the Student-Athlete Advisory Board. Further, Troth is the University's cheerleader advisor. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from WTAMU. Troth resides in Canyon.









Adam Quisenberry

Quisenberry is in his second year with the West Texas A&M athletics staff in charge of the Athletic Media Relations Department, where he is in charge of publicity, media coordination and NCAA statistics for all 13 Buff and Lady Buff athletic programs.

Prior to his move to Canyon, Quisenberry spent one year as an assistant at his alma mater Texas Tech University, where he received his bachelor's degree in Public Relations in May of 2004, after spending a year in a similar position at the University of Kansas. The Quanah, Texas, native is an active member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA) and is a veteran of numerous Big 12 Conference and NCAA Championship events.









Terry Roy
Terry Roy enters his third year with Buffalo Athletics where he assists with WTAMU's marketing and fund raising efforts.

The Copperas Cove, Texas, native in a former Buff football player, suiting up for the team from 2000-04 before earning his bacholor's degree in marketing. He is currently pursuing his master's in interdisciplinary studies.









Phil Woodall

Woodall is in his fifth year with WTAMU. He has been calling Buffalo Athletics' action on the radio for 19 years. He coordinates all logistical matters for the WTAMU Athletics' broadcasts on the Buffalo Sports Network and files reports for KGNC on WTAMU athletics and other local sports. He won three straight Jake Trussell Awards, for the Lone Star Conference Broadcaster of the Year (1997-99). Woodall was Randall County Justice of the Peace from 1979-2002. He is a 1979 West Texas A&M University graduate. He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Amarillo.










Paul Sweetgall

Sweetgall is in his eighth year with WTAMU and 28th overall in Athletics. He is responsible for Athletics Financial Operations, Ticketing and the Buffalo Club membership drive. He previously worked at Emporia State University and Missouri Western State College. 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

Hasse, who is the veteran of the WTAMU athletic administration, is in his 25th year with WTAMU Athletics. He is in charge of internal operations for the department, including facilities, summer camp liaison and game management. In 1993, Hasse received the WTAMU Alumni Association's University's Excellence Award. Hasse is involved in several community and civic organizations. His 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 enters 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.








Administrative Support



Janice Mackie
 Event Center/Financial Secretary

Janice Mackie

Mackie is in her 12th year in the WTAMU athletic department. She has two sons, Dusty and Cody, and resides in Amarillo.














Derba Carter

Debra Carter is in her third year in the WTAMU athletic department. She has two daughters and one son-in-law, and resides in Canyon.