Few traditions capture the spirit of West Texas A&M athletics like the annual Hall of Champions ceremony. Each fall, the Buffalo faithful gather to celebrate the athletes, coaches, and supporters who have defined excellence on the court, field, and beyond. This week, the Hall of Champions Selection Committee unveiled the Class of 2025 and announced this year’s Legacy Award recipients, a lineup that underscores both competitive greatness and enduring community support.
Honoring Lifetime Contributions: Legacy Award Recipients
The Legacy Award, created in 2008, recognizes individuals and organizations whose impact goes far beyond wins and losses. This year’s honorees are BritKare Home Medical and longtime WT supporters Ed and Jeanne Wright.
BritKare Home Medical has been an anchor for Lady Buff volleyball for nearly two decades. Their commitment includes sponsorship of the annual BritKare Lady Buff Classic and the installation of BritKare Court—an Olympic-caliber playing surface inside “The Box” that has elevated the volleyball experience for players and fans alike.
Ed and Jeanne Wright have spent decades pouring into the Buffs and Lady Buffs. From hosting team meals and supporting coaches to investing in multiple programs, the Wrights exemplify what it means to be part of the WT family.
Both honorees remind us that championship cultures are built not just on athletes’ performances but also on community members who show up year after year with generosity and pride.
The Hall of Champions Class of 2025
Founded in 1987, the Hall of Champions exists to honor student-athletes, coaches, and administrators whose contributions have left a permanent mark on WT athletics. The Class of 2025 is no exception, representing a cross-section of sports and eras.
Fatim Affessi (Track & Field): A five-time national champion and 11-time All-American, Affessi rewrote the WT record books. She also made NCAA history as the first Division II athlete to win the USTFCCCA Women’s Field Athlete of the Year award three times.
Don Carthel (Football): One of the most successful coaches in program history, Carthel led the Buffs to four Lone Star Conference titles, six playoff appearances, and compiled a remarkable 79-22 record from 2005–2012.
Joe Corbett (Baseball): WT’s career strikeout leader and the 2019 Division II National Pitcher of the Year, Corbett carried his talents into the professional ranks as a 10th-round MLB draft pick of the Texas Rangers.
Brett Hall (Tennis): With a 90-30 singles record, Hall was a force on the courts, guiding WT to multiple Missouri Valley Conference championships.
Kristen Jacobson (Equestrian): A national champion and one of WT’s most decorated riders, Jacobson’s influence extended beyond competition as a coach and a founding member of the Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association.
Duke Kicinski (Track & Field): A two-time NCAA discus champion, Kicinski was the first WT men’s athlete to capture a national title. He later competed at Texas Tech and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Ryan Quaid (Men’s Basketball): The cornerstone of WT’s basketball resurgence, Quaid graduated as the program’s all-time leading rebounder with 1,705 points and 1,004 rebounds. His honors included multiple all-conference and all-region selections.
Eva Rogers (Women’s Golf): A standout for the Lady Buffs, Rogers went on to become a nationally recognized golf instructor, earning accolades from Golf Digest and U.S. Kids Golf for her leadership in the sport.
Looking Ahead to Homecoming Weekend
The Class of 2025 will be officially inducted during a special reception on Friday, October 3, followed by recognition at WT’s Homecoming football game against Sul Ross State on Saturday, October 4. The weekend promises to be a celebration of past greatness while inspiring today’s Buffs and Lady Buffs to chase their own legacies.
Why It Matters
This year’s selections reflect more than athletic stats—they highlight resilience, leadership, and the community spirit that defines WT. From Affessi’s groundbreaking track performances to Carthel’s transformative coaching run, and from Rogers’ national teaching influence to the Wrights’ steady support, the Hall of Champions continues to showcase how excellence at WT takes many forms.
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