Scott Farmer Named UTPB Athletics Director

Odessa, Texas – The University of Texas Permian Basin President Sandra Woodley announced Thursday that Scott Farmer has been named The University of Texas Permian Basin Athletics Director. Farmer brings over 30 years of NCAA Division I experience to UT Permian Basin, including the last ten years at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the previous eight years at Troy University.

"UTPB Falcon Athletics scored a big win with the announcement our new Athletic Director, Scott Farmer," said  Woodley. "Scott brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of accomplishment for building successful athletics programs.  We are fortunate to add a leader of his caliber to the UTPB team and we welcome Scott and his wife Jackie to the Permian Basin."

Farmer was instrumental in improving both facilities and fundraising efforts at UL Lafayette. A Facilities Master Plan for Athletics was developed under his watch and in just three years, 6 of the 11 projects were completed. A total of $65 million was invested in facilities upgrades from 2014-16.

The Ragin' Cajuns saw their athletics budget increase by more than 100 percent in five years to over $21 million a year. Farmer was instrumental in creating the Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) which raised just under $10 million in 2016.  The RCAF also has an Annual Fund which now collects over $2 million annually.

"It's an exciting time to be a member of the UTPB family," said Farmer. "I would like to thank Dr. Woodley and the search committee for the opportunity to lead this department. Dr. Woodley's vision for UTPB and its athletics department makes it a great time to be here. Jackie and I look forward to working with and spending time with the great people within the University and the Permian Basin."

Athletics were successful both on and off the field during Farmer's ten years at Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns football team earned four straight bowl appearances from 2011-14 and led the Sun Belt Conference in attendance three times. In 2012, the men's basketball team hosted its first post-season game since 1985 before making the NCAA Tournament in 2014. The Ragin' Cajuns nationally-ranked baseball team appeared in four NCAA Regionals with a pair of Super Regional appearances, and the nationally-ranked softball team won six NCAA Regionals and made one NCAA Women's College World Series appearance.

In the classroom, the Ragin' Cajuns led the Sun Belt Conference and all public universities in the state of Louisiana in graduation rates four straight years from 2013-16.

In his time at Troy (1999-2007), Farmer oversaw facility construction and renovation of a number of facilities, including a $17-million, 30,000-seat football stadium; $3 million of administrative office renovations including a new weight room, auditorium and equipment room; $2 million in renovations and expansions for men's and women's basketball, and new playing facilities for baseball, softball, tennis, soccer, track, and an academic enhancement center.

He also oversaw the department's transition from Division I-AA (FCS) to Division I-A (FBS) and a move to the Sun Belt Conference over two years. Troy sold over 17,000 tickets per game over a four year period, one of just two NCAA institutions to elevate to Division I-A through attendance.

Farmer spent 17 years as a coach and administrator at Georgia Southern. In his time at GSU, the department added a Division I-AA football program, built an 18,000-seat football stadium, a pair of football/soccer practice fields, and renovated a number of athletics facilities. He spent 10 years as the Eagles' swimming coach, leading the women's team to eight conference championships while also being named Coach of the Year four times.

He graduated from Georgia Southern with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education, and later earned his M.S. degree in Sports Management from the university.

Farmer and his wife, Jackie, are the parents of two children, Kaitlin and Kyle.