Texas Tech University Athletics
Gleason Announces Retirement From Texas Tech Athletics
November 20, 2015 | General
Bobby Gleason will retire from Texas Tech Athletics this summer after serving 22 years as the department's chief financial officer.
Nov. 20, 2015
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech Senior Associate Athletics Director Bobby Gleason announced his retirement from the university Thursday. His retirement will be effective on June 30, 2016.
For the past 22 years, Gleason has served as the athletics department's chief financial officer where he works closely with university and athletic administrators as well as coaches in managing all of the financial affairs of the department.
"Debbie and I and our family have been truly blessed," Gleason said. "It has been an amazing ride and a special time to be at Texas Tech Athletics. We are looking forward to the next chapter of our lives. At this time, we do not know what this new chapter will bring but we are looking forward to spending more time with family and achieving the next purpose and opportunity that God will provide. Every day I will be a Red Raider!"
Chancellor Emeritus Kent Hance
Hired originally by former athletics director Bob Bockrath, Gleason rose to Deputy AD under Gerald Myers, adding responsibilities such as oversight over The Rawls Course, Texas Tech's agreement with Under Armour and many other duties.
"On December 15, 1989, I joined Texas Tech University for an amazing journey," Gleason said. "The journey got even more exciting when I was offered the opportunity to be a part of Texas Tech Athletics in 1994. Along the way, I have had the privilege to know and work together with some of the greatest people in the world and giants in the field of intercollegiate athletics."
The Texas Tech athletics department has grown immensely during Gleason's tenure as he inherited a $9 million budget in 1994 that has grown into $77 million for the current 2015-16 fiscal year.
"Since I arrived at Texas Tech, Bobby Gleason's acumen and direction with our finances has been invaluable," Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. "He's been a valued member of our executive staff and will definitely be missed."
Gleason began his career in intercollegiate athletics right around the time Texas Tech was beginning its move from the Southwest Conference to its current home in the Big 12, a "major transition" in Gleason's eyes.
Bobby Gleason has led Texas Tech Athletics' business operations for the past 22 years.
Texas Tech has announced plans to construct a Sports Performance Center just south of Jones AT&T Stadium which will feature an indoor football practice field as well as an indoor track and field facility. The project will push Texas Tech to over $300 million in facility investments during Gleason's tenure.
"Bobby is as good as any financial officer in college athletics," said Myers, Texas Tech's Athletics Director Emeritus. "He served as Texas Tech Athletics' CFO through a time of tremendous growth. As a senior staff member, he has been involved with many projects and decisions concerning Texas Tech's growth and success over the last two-plus decades. Bobby has always put Texas Tech first and foremost in all his decisions. "
Gleason holds two B.B.A degrees from Texas Tech University - the first in management (1972) and the second in accounting (1974). He and his wife Debbie have two daughters - Trish Driskill (husband John) and Casey Zielinski (husband Brian) - a son, Brett (fiancé Laina Lang) as well as two granddaughters, Lola Kate and June Driskill.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON TEXAS TECH SENIOR ASSOCIATE A.D. BOBBY GLEASON
"Bobby Gleason loved Texas Tech and he stretched every dollar as far as he could to help Texas Tech Athletics. There is no one better in the country in athletic accounting and administration than Bobby Gleason. He will be missed by all and he should be honored highly for the work he did for Texas Tech." - Texas Tech Chancellor Emeritus Kent Hance
Bob Knight
"I think Bobby had a significant impact on the athletics department while I was there. He was the best hire I ever made at Texas Tech, frankly. The thing about Bobby was he knew where the money was and he also knew where it wasn't. Sometimes in administration we have a hard time figuring that out but Bobby was always good at that. Several of the financial officers I knew, a lot of their answers were always 'no.' Bobby wasn't that way and he always tried to make something work. He has always been a really great guy and I know Texas Tech will miss him." - Bob Bockrath, former Texas Tech Director of Athletics
"I think a lot of the success in the financial affairs of the athletic department can be attributed to Bobby's knowledge and skills. Obviously a lot of things on and off the field attributed to that. In any event, his ability to really relate to coaches about financial needs and managing resources and spending has really helped in the financial side of athletics being in good shape. In my opinion, he's even a better person and person you want to know as a friend than he is a financial person." - Dr. Robert Lawless, former Texas Tech University President (1989-96)
"I just appreciate the loyalty and passion that Bobby has had for every sport at Texas Tech. He has always worked hard to find solutions for everyone from a financial standpoint. I consider Debbie and Bobby great friends of mine and I wish them nothing but great times in their retirement and particularly the opportunity to spend time with grandchildren. I know that will make them very happy." - Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech Associate Athletics Director/Head Coach Emerita
