This weekend was a busy one for a pair of athletic departments around the Western Athletic Conference. Both Lamar and UT-Arlington were in the market for new athletic directors. And both schools found their athletic leader.
On July 15, Lamar announced that Jeff O’Malley would become the school’s athletic director after a 20-year tenure at Marshall University.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to lead Lamar University Athletics,” O’Malley said in the Lamar press release. “This is a program with a proud tradition of excellence, and we will do all we can to make it even better both in the classroom and in competition. I met many great people through this process, and I would like to thank Dean Spina and Don Shaver for their work co-chairing the search committee. I also would like to thank President Taylor for providing me with the opportunity to work with him again and share his vision for Lamar University. I am looking forward to meeting our student-athletes, collaborating with the campus community and working with our coaches and staff to provide a first-class student-athlete experience.”
Lamar University President Jamie Taylor is excited for the new leader of the athletic department.
“Jeff O’Malley is a trusted collaborator who understands it takes all facets of a university to support student-athletes,” Taylor said. “He established very positive relationships with faculty and with academic affairs at Marshall University and has an absolutely stellar reputation for ensuring student-athletes are successful in the classroom as well as on the field of play.”
O’Malley takes over for Marco Born who took a leave of absence on Jan. 13, 2022 and never returned to the position. The Lamar men’s basketball team finished 2021-22 with a 2-27 overall record and 0-18 finish in WAC play. On the women’s side, the Cardinals finished 14-15 overall and 8-10 in WAC play and lost to Sam Houston in the second round of the WAC Tournament.
ICYMI: Here are some highlights from the press conference for our new Director of Athletics, Jeff O'Malley!#WeAreLU pic.twitter.com/IicIK3fKnd
— Lamar Cardinals (@LamarAthletics) June 20, 2022
Mavericks Enter WAC With New Leader
UT-Arlington was in the market for a new athletic director when Jim Baker announced that he would retire and step down officially on Sept. 1.
And on June 14, UTA announced that Jon Fagg would become the athletic director and join UTA on Aug. 1. Fagg is currently the deputy athletic director at Arkansas and most recently served as sports administrator over the football and swimming and diving programs.
“Jon will provide strategic leadership for our intercollegiate athletics department and collaborate across campus and the community to promote the academic and athletic achievements of our student-athletes,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “I am confident his experience will prove to be an asset as we move into the Western Athletic Conference and work to advance the success of our 15 NCAA Division I athletic programs.”
“UT Arlington has both a strong tradition of success and tremendous potential for growth, especially as it moves to a new conference,” Fagg said. “It’s an exciting time to join the Maverick family, and I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of leading the athletics program to even greater heights.”
UTA is rejoining the Western Athletic Conference effective July 1, 2022. The Mavericks have competed in the Sun Belt Conference since 2013-14 school year. Prior to that, UTA was a member of the Western Athletic Conference for the 2012-13 season. UTA was 11-18 overall and 7-10 in Sun Belt play in 2021-22. On the women’s side, the Mavericks finished 20-8 overall and 11-4 in Sun Belt play. The Lady Mavs went on to win the Sun Belt Conference tournament and nearly knocked off 3-seed Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Officially ????????.#MavUp | @JonFagg pic.twitter.com/R8EL6Cct20
— UTA Athletics (@UTAMAVS) June 20, 2022
Southern Utah Roster Gets Good News
In about the span of seven days, Southern Utah head coach Todd Simon had to feel like he was dreaming. First, Tevian Jones made the announcement he would return to Cedar City for another season.
Tevian is coming BACK @TheReal_TJones is running back for a 5th year ?
Here are few Tev stats as a Thunderbird:
-815 points as T-Bird so far
-15.85 points per game past 2 seasons#StormTheSky pic.twitter.com/ss5mAvhsMQ— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) June 15, 2022
Jones is arguably one of the most athletic players in the WAC. His length and athleticism combined with his quickness allow him to finish at the rim and play multiple positions.
One day later, Simon got some more good news. Big man Maizen Fausett will return for the Thunderbirds in 2022-23. Fausett averaged 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 2021-22 and is a 1,000-point scorer. The even better news is that SUU is 43-16 the last two seasons with Fausett in the lineup.
more Maiz? YES PLEASE@mufausett is coming back⚡️
Last year Maiz averaged:
-13.5 PPG
-6.9 RPG#StormTheSky pic.twitter.com/5FEGcEvxgy— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) June 16, 2022
And one day after that, SUU announced Harrison Butler would be returning. Second in SUU games played, another 1,000-point scorer and a winner. It was a significant three days for Todd Simon and the Thunderbirds. SUU finished second in the Big Sky and got upset in its second round game by Portland State. SUU finished the 2021-22 season with a 23-12 overall record and 14-6 record in Big Sky competition.
As Camp Gets Underway, ACU Head Coach Has New Look
If you watched Abilene Christian play in 2021-22, you know that head coach Brette Tanner was clean shaven every game. Perhaps it is the dog days of summer or just trying out something new. But, Tanner has a new look as ACU started up practice this week.
Back to work. #GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/82esS9T5FC
— ACU Men’s Basketball (@ACU_MBB) June 21, 2022
And if you notice, there is a little gray in that beard. Perhaps that stems from ACU’s run to the WAC Tournament championship game in 2021-22. Or maybe even ACU’s run to the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational. It could also be from having to figure out how to replace Coryon Mason, Reggie Miller and Mahki Morris. Either way, Tanner and the Wildcats have the pieces in place to make another run in 2022-23.
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