What Makes A Winner?

Trophy cases line the hallways in numerous areas of West Texas A&M University’s campus. The university fosters a responsibility for achievement from its students, faculty, and administration. Across all majors, departments and colleges, buffalos are taught to pursue excellence in all their endeavors. 

The WT baseball and track and field teams are historically successful. The baseball team has reached the NCAA Regional tournament eight of the last 10 seasons, and are ranked 8th in the country in the latest coaches poll that took place on February 20, 2024. They are sitting at second place in Lone Star Conference play in the third week of the 2024 season. Men and women track and field has both competed in almost all of the last 10 NCAA Indoor Championships, and almost all of the last 12 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Overall, the team has finished in the top-10 a combined 20 times in the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA Championship meets. 

WTAMU Ranch Horse Team members heard their club announced as world champions at the 2023 Stock Horse of Texas competition in November of 2023. The team has grown exponentially in talent and reputation since Dr. Lance Baker, professor of animal science, rebooted it in 2020. Humble beginnings have made the team so special. Current team member Layten Graham, a junior general agriculture student, recalls the joy of her team’s hard work paying off. 

“We went to the awards ceremony and sat in the front row not thinking we had done very well,” Graham said. “Then we were all gasping and looking at each other wondering if that really just happened. Baker and our senior who's graduating started crying, and everyone was so happy and jumping around.” 

Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, clinical instructor of agricultural business and economics and horse judging coach, has picked up the torch to coach the WTAMU Horse Judging Team to a win in their first competition under her care. 

“The program here at WT is such a legacy, so it's fulfilling to be able to honor Dr. John Pipkin’s 30 years of incredible service and continue his success straight out of the box,” Petry-Adams said. 

She is pleased to have the opportunity to maintain her connection to Pipkin and have his support. 

“He preaches the foundation and to teach the rule book, and that's also my philosophy, so it aligns with him,” Petry-Adams said. “I call and talk to him all the time.”

The WT Baseball team’s Head Coach Matt Vanderburg has been leading the way for the Buffaloes since 2009, and when asked about the team’s goals for the season, he said they have their eyes locked on a National Championship.

“Our ultimate goal is to win a National Championship,” said Vanderburg. “We (the team) need to make sure we are working together to make each other better on and off the field every single day. We want to continue to build on the culture that we have in place that prioritizes competing daily.”

Track and Field Head Coach Matthew Stewart is in his 14th season with the program and said his team's goals for the season are the same as they are every season, “to make this program the best it can be for this season.”

“We (the coaching staff) strive to be a student athlete centered program focused on giving them the best experience possible and guiding them to their goals on and off the track,” said Stewart. 

The Ranch Horse Team is eternally grateful for the support they have received throughout the 2023 season and credit their success to the guidance of others. 

For Graham, the advice of clinicians like Pete Kyle and Andy and Kin Johnson is essential to growing her skills.

“Every time they leave, I just feel like we learn a whole new perspective of how to do something. We change so much and end up all marking very high afterwards,” Graham said. 

Additionally, a Ranch Horse Team member must be committed to accepting challenges and possess a mindset of determination for improvement inside or outside of the arena.

“It's almost like you come here and achievement is expected of you,” Graham said. “Everyone who comes here comes here to do their best. When you hear someone is from WT, you just know that person is going to work so hard because they came from people who are constantly pushing them to be their best.” 

Tom Brown, WTAMU Men’s Head Basketball coach has led a winning tradition of excellence for the men’s basketball program. When asked what attracted him to WT, Brown said “WT looked like a great school that had nice facilities, but what was most important was knowing that they wanted me.”  

It was a good thing that WT wanted Coach Brown. He has built an elite basketball program over the past ten years that he has been here. During his time in Canyon, coach Brown’s record is 237-57, that is an 80% win rate which is almost unheard of in collegiate basketball or just athletics in general. 

His proven track record has led to Sweet 16, Elite eight, Final Four, and a National Title game. Brown says key factors of his success have been the hard work and dedication that his players have exhibited. His players have done well both on the court and in the classroom. His assistant coaches are also noted to be a huge help to the massive success they have had. 

The victory culture on the Ranch Horse Team is not fading any time soon. Baker and Graham intend to defend their world championship title in 2024 and continue building on their strong foundation. 

Graham is enthusiastic for the team’s season and is hopeful for a few structural changes on the team. 

“I would hope in the future WT would look at having a paid coaching position,” Graham said. “People don’t know this, but Dr. Baker is a volunteer. The school considers the rodeo and the equestrian team true athletic teams, but we're considered a club even though we compete at the same, highly successful level. I think we have more than earned that recognition.” 

Petry-Adams encourages all students to pursue competitive teams to find a place to truly fit in. 

“We're a family and we're going to grow and learn as individuals and ultimately win for yourself and for WT,” she said. 

For Petry-Adams, who comes from a rough upbringing, joining competitive teams served as an opportunity to create a life that is better than the one she was given. Her horse judging career earned her scholarships that financially supported her from undergraduate studies through her doctoral degree. 

“In my personal journey, I would have never thought that I would have gotten to go to college to be a professor and to give back now,” she said. “My decision to start and keep judging was life-changing.”

Whether “competition” is one of your top 5 BuffStrong strengths, WTAMU is proud to boast a widespread culture of exerting the maximum effort to bring hardware home to Canyon. Each hanging banner, shining trophy, and gold buckle is a testament to the spirit of excellence that defines the institution.