Texas Tech University Athletics
Kirby Hocutt Named Director Of Athletics At Texas Tech
March 02, 2011 | General
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LUBBOCK, Texas - Kirby Hocutt has been named director of athletics at Texas Tech University and joins the Red Raider family after serving in the same position at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla.
"Today is the culmination of an exhaustive process to bring in an athletic director who can lead this program into the future," said Guy Bailey, Texas Tech president. "Kirby Hocutt is that person. We are pleased and excited to have a person of his character and leadership on board to represent our athletic programs both locally and on the national stage."
Hocutt, who was recognized with Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal Forty Under 40 Award, as one of the most promising young executives in sports business, becomes the 13th athletics director in school history and replaces Gerald Myers, who announced his retirement from the post last fall.
"Kirby Hocutt brings great knowledge of the Big 12 Conference, fundraising experience, as well as the ability to make tough decisions," said Kent Hance, Texas Tech chancellor. "He understands the world of collegiate sports, and his enthusiasm and leadership will continue the growth and success of Texas Tech athletics. We are glad he is here."
Hocutt, 39, is no stranger to the Big 12 Conference as both a student-athlete at Kansas State and as an administrator at both Kansas State and Oklahoma. A four-year letterman on the Wildcat football team, Hocutt led the former Big 8 Conference in tackles his junior season, while earning All-Big 8 accolades. Following his playing career, he moved over to administration where he served as assistant director of marketing and promotions at Kansas State. He later served seven years at the University of Oklahoma where he oversaw fundraising efforts for the Sooners and was the primary administrator for the OU football program.
"It is with great pleasure that I accept the position as Director of Athletics for Texas Tech," remarked Hocutt. "I am excited about this tremendous opportunity and look forward to working with the University leadership, coaches, staff and student-athletes as we focus on advancing the department of intercollegiate athletics. As a former student-athlete and administrator, I am very familiar with the Big 12 Conference and look forward to returning to my home state of Texas."
Hocutt comes to Texas Tech from the University of Miami, where he was named athletics director on Feb. 8, 2008. While at Miami, he oversaw $26 million in new projects, including the construction of a basketball practice facility, as well as upgrades to Alex Rodriguez at Mark Light Field (Baseball), the Neil Schiff Tennis Center and Cobb Stadium (Women's Soccer/Track & Field).
Under his direction in 2010, Miami recorded a program-best Graduation Success Rate of 86 percent, while all 18 teams excelled in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate Report (APR). Led by the Hurricanes football program - who has posted a multi-year APR score in the top 10 percent - Miami finished sixth in the APR in 2010, and is the only Bowl Championship Subdivision (BCS) team among the 26 schools recognized that finished ranked in the final USA Today Coaches Poll and Associated Press Poll following the 2009 season. In addition, UM's football program was the co-recipient of the American Football Coaches Association's 2009 Academic Achievement Award, graduating 100 percent of its freshman football student-athlete class of 2002.
At the age of 33, Hocutt got his first opportunity as an athletic director at the Division I level with the Ohio University Bobcats, in 2005. At Ohio, Hocutt significantly reorganized the athletic department's annual giving program, increasing fundraising by more than 75 percent, including the securing of the second largest major gift in school athletics history. He also increased season ticket sales in football by 112 percent and in men's basketball by 50 percent. He developed a comprehensive plan to improve the facilities for the football stadium and the press box, as well as the Convocation Center which houses all administrative and coaches' offices.
In his three years at Ohio, the school won 11 team championships and four head coaches were recognized as conference coaches of the year. In 2006, the football team played in its first bowl game in 38 years.
After a stint as the assistant coordinator of licensing at the NCAA, Hocutt joined the staff at the University of Oklahoma in 1998, where he oversaw the fundraising efforts for the Sooners and was the primary administrator for football and sports supervisor for baseball and men's and women's golf. His duties included supervision of the athletics development office, athletics ticket office, special events, stadium suite program, athletics endowment program, letter winners association and the department's facility use and rental program.
Hocutt led Oklahoma's athletics fundraising to an all-time high in annual giving and capital campaigns. From 1998 to 2005, Oklahoma's annual giving increased from $3.4 million to more than $17 million. That 400 percent increase in annual giving was one of the highest percentage increases in intercollegiate athletics history. Beginning in 1999, Hocutt served in a leadership position in the strategic planning for a $100 million capital campaign. The $120 million campaign was unique in that it focused on facility construction or improvements for each of Oklahoma's 20 sports.
Prior to joining the Oklahoma staff, Hocutt served as the assistant director of licensing at the NCAA. In that position, he worked with corporate partners and licensees to create new revenue producing initiatives to support and promote all 81 NCAA championships.
Hocutt earned his bachelor's degree from Kansas State in 1995 and his master's of education degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2001. He and his wife, Diane, have two sons: Drew and Brooks.
THOUGHTS ON KIRBY HOCUTT
Kansas State Director of Athletics John Currie
"It has been my pleasure to get to know Kirby over the last 10 years. Since I arrived at Kansas State he has been a tremendous resource to me in understanding the heritage and opportunities here. I consider him a trusted friend and a terrific colleague. He is a man with tremendous enthusiasm, vision and character who has done great things as Athletics Director at Ohio and Miami. I know Texas Tech, along with the entire Big 12 Conference, will benefit from his leadership and I look forward to working with him for many, many years in support of the student-athletes and institutions of our league."
Kansas State Head Football Coach Bill Snyder
"Kirby was a very fine player for us and is one of those young guys that you love to death. He is a dear friend who was a great teammate, a tremendous student and an excellent person who comes from a great family. I am excited about him returning closer to his roots and the Big 12 Conference and I think he will be absolutely terrific for Texas Tech University."
Sherman ISD (Sherman, Texas) Superintendent Al Hambrick
"On behalf of the Sherman Independent School District, I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Kirby Hocutt on his appointment as the new Athletic Director at Texas Tech University. I had the privilege of serving as Kirby's high school math teacher. He was a stand-out student-athlete in the Sherman ISD. I believe that his character, tremendous work ethic and energy, as well as his experience in Division I athletic administration will allow him to be a great asset to the Texas Tech staff. Texas Tech University Athletics will be in good hands under Mr. Hocutt's leadership. We wish him well as he begins his new role."
Ohio University Head Football Coach Frank Solich
"Texas Tech has made an excellent addition with the announcement of Kirby (Hocutt) as Athletic Director. In his short time at Ohio, our program attained goals it hadn't reached in decades and he helped to provide a foundation for our success today. His quick rise to the top of his profession can be largely attributed to his incredible work ethic and his ability to relate to coaches."
Oklahoma Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione
"Kirby Hocutt's impressive career in college athletics continues on his strong technical skills and experience. He truly understands the importance of effective leadership and the role each stakeholder group plays in the pursuit of excellence. His ability to listen, assess, visualize and act decisively allows him to develop a strategic, well defined course for the department he leads and the university he represents. Most importantly, Kirby is committed to his family and concerned about those around him. He has always understood that relationships take a priority over everything else. His decisions will reflect what is in the best interest of all involved. Kirby is an outstanding addition to the Big 12 Conference and I am anxious to work with him again."
Oklahoma Head Women's Basketball Coach Sherri Coale
"Kirby Hocutt is a rapidly rising star in the world of collegiate athletics. At the risk of sounding trite, he just gets it. I don't know a better way of describing him. The coaches and the athletes at Texas Tech will absolutely love following his lead."
Big 12 Conference Commissioner Dan Beebe
"Kirby Hocutt's deep roots in the Big 12 provide him a tremendous framework for success at Texas Tech. I welcome the opportunity to work with him. His predecessor has been in integral part of the Tech fabric. I appreciate Gerald's years of service and salute Chancellor Hance and President Bailey on finding such an exceptional successor."
TEXAS TECH ATHLETICS DIRECTORS (1925-2011)
2011 - Kirby Hocutt
1996-2011 - Gerald Myers
1993-96 - Bob Bockrath
1985-93 - T. Jones
1980-85 - John Conley
1978-80 - Dick Tamburo
1970-78 - J.T. King
1960-70 - Polk Robinson
1952-60 - DeWitt Weaver
1941-51 - Morley Jennings
1930-40 - Pete Cawthon
1927-29 - Grady Higgenbotham
1925-27 - E.Y. Freeland
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Kirby Hocutt on Twitter (@kirbyhocutt), Texas Tech Athletics on Twitter (@techathletics) and Texas Tech Gameday (score updates from all 17 intercollegiate sports) on Twitter (@techgameday).
