Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech announces Athletics Director’s Circle
September 03, 2026 | General
Leadership giving group provides transformational support to the Red Raider Club for Texas Tech student-athletes and the future of Red Raider Athletics
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech Athletics and the Red Raider Club are proud to recognize the Athletics Director's Circle, an unprecedented group of philanthropic leaders whose commitment is helping position Texas Tech Athletics for continued success in the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.
The Athletics Director's Circle represents one of the highest levels of annual philanthropic support to the Red Raider Club. Membership in the Athletics Director's Circle is recognized through a $1 million commitment to Texas Tech Athletics, with gifts supporting the Red Raider Club's Matador Fund and providing critical resources that directly impact Texas Tech student-athletes across all 17 varsity programs.
For many members, that commitment represents only part of their overall support of Texas Tech Athletics. Athletics Director's Circle members continue to make an impact through additional philanthropic gifts to Texas Tech Athletics and individual sport programs. Together, these investments demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment to the continued growth of Texas Tech Athletics.
"The commitment of our Athletics Director's Circle members is making an extraordinary impact on Texas Tech Athletics and, most importantly, on the lives of our student-athletes," Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "Their generosity gives us the resources to compete at the highest level while continuing to provide a first-class experience for every student-athlete who wears the Double T. We are incredibly grateful for their belief in our vision and their willingness to lead alongside us."
INVESTING DIRECTLY IN TEXAS TECH STUDENT-ATHLETES
As the financial model of college athletics continues to evolve, philanthropic support has never been more important.
Gifts to the Matador Fund provide critical funding that allows Texas Tech Athletics to meet its goals for revenue sharing, scholarships and the overall student-athlete experience. That support extends far beyond competition and touches virtually every aspect of a student-athlete's experience at Texas Tech, including meals and nutrition, strength and conditioning, academic resources, mental health and wellness support, leadership development and other resources designed to prepare Red Raiders for success during their time at Texas Tech and long after graduation.
The Athletics Director's Circle was created to help Texas Tech Athletics meet the demands of today's college athletics environment while recognizing donors who make an extraordinary annual commitment to that mission and bringing them closer than ever to Red Raider Athletics.
Members receive unprecedented access and experiences throughout the year, including insider information and updates directly from Hocutt and Texas Tech Athletics leadership. These experiences provide members with a unique connection to Texas Tech Athletics and the student-athletes, coaches and programs their generosity directly supports.
GROWING A COMMUNITY OF LEADERSHIP
The early success and impact of the Athletics Director's Circle have reinforced Texas Tech Athletics' commitment to growing the program and expanding its impact in the years ahead.
The Red Raider Club will continue to grow the Athletics Director's Circle by engaging philanthropic leaders who share a belief in the future of Texas Tech Athletics and understand the importance of private support in achieving the department's ambitious goals.
"Our momentum is being fueled by people who believe deeply in Texas Tech and are willing to invest in where we are going," said Andrea Tirey, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director. "The Athletics Director's Circle is a powerful example of that leadership. These members understand what it takes to compete nationally in today's environment, but they also understand that, at its core, this is an investment in our student-athletes. The response to this program has been amazing, and we look forward to growing this group and its impact."
The Athletics Director's Circle is part of a broader Red Raider Club strategy focused on growing philanthropic participation at every level. From transformational leadership gifts to recurring annual contributions, every donor and every gift plays an important role in providing Texas Tech student-athletes with the resources necessary to compete, develop and succeed.
THANK YOU TO OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE
Texas Tech Athletics and the Red Raider Club extend a special thank you to the current members of the Athletics Director's Circle for their leadership, generosity and commitment to Red Raider student-athletes:
Chris & Terry Aulds
Justin & Kari Bennett
Mike & Beth Black
The Bouma Family
Barry & Tina Brown
Scott & Jaime Bryant
Walt & Bethany Cathey
Tim & Annette Culp
Lance & Lindsey Daniels
Gordon & Joyce Davis
Derek & Candice DeHoyos
Hank & Meredith Dorris
Tom & Susan Durant
Brantly & Amber Fowler
Steve & Jan Goree
Kerry & Debbie Hunt
Brent & Angie Jordan
Kelly & Becky Joy
Denny & Debbie Latham
Lee & Jill Lewis
Ryan & Michelle Lewis
Zane & Amanda Mead
The Odom / Irwin Family
Clay & Lisa Powell
Alan & Michelle Smith
Travis & Lexi Thompson
Mike Wallace
Monty & Becky Whetstone
John & Karen Wilkins
Jack & Dianna Wood
Their leadership is helping create opportunities for today's Red Raiders while building a stronger future for Texas Tech Athletics.
To learn more about the Athletic Director's Circle or to support the Matador Fund, contact the Red Raider Club.
The Athletics Director's Circle represents one of the highest levels of annual philanthropic support to the Red Raider Club. Membership in the Athletics Director's Circle is recognized through a $1 million commitment to Texas Tech Athletics, with gifts supporting the Red Raider Club's Matador Fund and providing critical resources that directly impact Texas Tech student-athletes across all 17 varsity programs.
For many members, that commitment represents only part of their overall support of Texas Tech Athletics. Athletics Director's Circle members continue to make an impact through additional philanthropic gifts to Texas Tech Athletics and individual sport programs. Together, these investments demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment to the continued growth of Texas Tech Athletics.
"The commitment of our Athletics Director's Circle members is making an extraordinary impact on Texas Tech Athletics and, most importantly, on the lives of our student-athletes," Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "Their generosity gives us the resources to compete at the highest level while continuing to provide a first-class experience for every student-athlete who wears the Double T. We are incredibly grateful for their belief in our vision and their willingness to lead alongside us."
INVESTING DIRECTLY IN TEXAS TECH STUDENT-ATHLETES
As the financial model of college athletics continues to evolve, philanthropic support has never been more important.
Gifts to the Matador Fund provide critical funding that allows Texas Tech Athletics to meet its goals for revenue sharing, scholarships and the overall student-athlete experience. That support extends far beyond competition and touches virtually every aspect of a student-athlete's experience at Texas Tech, including meals and nutrition, strength and conditioning, academic resources, mental health and wellness support, leadership development and other resources designed to prepare Red Raiders for success during their time at Texas Tech and long after graduation.
The Athletics Director's Circle was created to help Texas Tech Athletics meet the demands of today's college athletics environment while recognizing donors who make an extraordinary annual commitment to that mission and bringing them closer than ever to Red Raider Athletics.
Members receive unprecedented access and experiences throughout the year, including insider information and updates directly from Hocutt and Texas Tech Athletics leadership. These experiences provide members with a unique connection to Texas Tech Athletics and the student-athletes, coaches and programs their generosity directly supports.
GROWING A COMMUNITY OF LEADERSHIP
The early success and impact of the Athletics Director's Circle have reinforced Texas Tech Athletics' commitment to growing the program and expanding its impact in the years ahead.
The Red Raider Club will continue to grow the Athletics Director's Circle by engaging philanthropic leaders who share a belief in the future of Texas Tech Athletics and understand the importance of private support in achieving the department's ambitious goals.
"Our momentum is being fueled by people who believe deeply in Texas Tech and are willing to invest in where we are going," said Andrea Tirey, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director. "The Athletics Director's Circle is a powerful example of that leadership. These members understand what it takes to compete nationally in today's environment, but they also understand that, at its core, this is an investment in our student-athletes. The response to this program has been amazing, and we look forward to growing this group and its impact."
The Athletics Director's Circle is part of a broader Red Raider Club strategy focused on growing philanthropic participation at every level. From transformational leadership gifts to recurring annual contributions, every donor and every gift plays an important role in providing Texas Tech student-athletes with the resources necessary to compete, develop and succeed.
THANK YOU TO OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE
Texas Tech Athletics and the Red Raider Club extend a special thank you to the current members of the Athletics Director's Circle for their leadership, generosity and commitment to Red Raider student-athletes:
Chris & Terry Aulds
Justin & Kari Bennett
Mike & Beth Black
The Bouma Family
Barry & Tina Brown
Scott & Jaime Bryant
Walt & Bethany Cathey
Tim & Annette Culp
Lance & Lindsey Daniels
Gordon & Joyce Davis
Derek & Candice DeHoyos
Hank & Meredith Dorris
Tom & Susan Durant
Brantly & Amber Fowler
Steve & Jan Goree
Kerry & Debbie Hunt
Brent & Angie Jordan
Kelly & Becky Joy
Denny & Debbie Latham
Lee & Jill Lewis
Ryan & Michelle Lewis
Zane & Amanda Mead
The Odom / Irwin Family
Clay & Lisa Powell
Alan & Michelle Smith
Travis & Lexi Thompson
Mike Wallace
Monty & Becky Whetstone
John & Karen Wilkins
Jack & Dianna Wood
Their leadership is helping create opportunities for today's Red Raiders while building a stronger future for Texas Tech Athletics.
To learn more about the Athletic Director's Circle or to support the Matador Fund, contact the Red Raider Club.
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