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

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

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

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^[1]
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
Jesse Powell (American football), 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