List of West Texas A&M University people

The following is a list of notable people associated with West Texas A&M University, located in the American city of Canyon, Texas.

Notable alumni

Politics and government

Larry Combest, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 19th district

• Ulane Bonnel, naval historian
• Phil Cates, former state representative
• Larry Combest, former U.S. representative
• Jesse Cross, US Army general
• Angie Debo, historian (faculty member, 1924–1933)
• J. Evetts Haley, historian and political activist
• Grady Hazlewood, state senator (1941–1971), benefactor of Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, regent of WTAMU
• Anita Thigpen Perry, First Lady of Texas
• Bill Sarpalius, politician
• John T. Smithee, Texas state representative since 1985

Media and arts

Georgia O'Keeffe, Head of the WTAMU Art Department, 1916–1918

• Jennifer Archer, author
• Candace Camp, author
• René Clausen, composer and choral director (faculty member)
• Georgia O'Keeffe, artist (faculty member)
• The Otwell Twins, musicians and businessmen from Tulia and Amarillo
• Bruce Robison, hit country songwriter ("Travelin' Soldier", "Angry All The Time", "Desperately") and singer
• Red Steagall, country singer and Western poet
• French Stewart, actor

Business

• William R. Klesse, CEO and President of Valero Energy Corporation
• Donald E. Powell, former Chairman of the FDIC; current Federal Coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding

Education

• John S. Goff, government and history professor
• Helen Neal, in 1962 became the first black graduate
• Jean A. Stuntz, history professor
• Shanna Peeples, education professor

Athletes and coaches

Maurice Cheeks, Professional Basketball Player / Coach

Mercury Morris, Professional Football Player

• Joe Fortenberry, Olympic Basketball Player
• Anthony Armstrong, NFL player
• Sergio Castillo, NFL player
• Davy Arnaud, soccer player
• John Ayers, NFL player
• Dalton Bell, NFL player
• Tully Blanchard, professional wrestler
• Bryan Braman, NFL player
• Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish), professional wrestler
• Ray Brown, NFL player
• Maurice Cheeks, Hall of Fame NBA player and coach
• Ted DiBiase, professional wrestler (did not graduate)
• Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, professional ten-pin bowler who won 20 titles on the PWBA tour and 2 more in the PBA Women's Series
• Manny Fernandez, professional wrestler
• Dory Funk Jr., professional wrestler
• Terry Funk, professional wrestler
• Stan Hansen, professional wrestler
• Heath Herring (attended), football player and wrestler; retired mixed martial artist fighter, formerly for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
• Alondra Johnson, Canadian Football League player
• Steve Kragthorpe, college football head coach
• Kareem Larrimore, NFL player
• Ryan Leaf, NFL player and quarterbacks coach (faculty member)
• Jerry Logan, NFL player
• Charly Martin, NFL player
• Mickey Matthews, college football head coach
• Reggie McElroy, NFL player
• Mercury Morris, NFL player
• Dick Murdoch, professional wrestler
• Keith Null, NFL player
• Dusty Rhodes, professional wrestler
• Khiry Robinson, NFL player
• Tito Santana (Merced Solis), professional wrestler
• Mike Scroggins, professional ten-pin bowler who has won 8 titles (including 2 majors) on the PBA Tour
• Marsha Sharp, head coach of the Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball team
• Eugene Sims, NFL player
• Jerry Simmons, tennis coach
• Duane Thomas, NFL player
• Chaun Thompson, NFL player
• Dustin Vaughan, NFL player
• J'Marcus Webb, NFL player
• Barry Windham, professional wrestler (did not graduate)
• Bobby Duncum Sr., professional wrestler
• Rellie Kaputin, Olympic track and field athlete

See also

• List of people from Texas
• West Texas A&M University