WC NEWS

Athletic Director Jeff Lightfoot presented a comprehensive report to the Board of Trustees at its June meeting on Thursday, highlighting Weatherford College’s record-setting performance in the classroom and in competition and what it means to be a successful coach.

Coaches are expected to recruit elite student-athletes while helping them grow academically, physically, and mentally into leaders, Lightfoot said.

They are also tasked with building competitive schedules, often facing top-ranked national teams early in the season to prepare for conference and postseason competition. They are also expected to contribute to campus life, engage the community and commit to ongoing professional growth.

The report highlighted significant achievements across multiple programs. WC has 280 student-athletes enrolled in approximately 4,200 academic hours, with nine of 10 teams posting a GPA above 3.0. More than 50 academic awards have been earned this year, and over 70 student-athletes have transferred to four-year institutions.

On the field and court, the Coyotes continue to compete at a national level. Nine student-athletes earned All-American honors, a WC record, while 35 were named All-Conference and four were recognized as conference players of the year.

Eight athletic teams ended their seasons nationally ranked, with many of them making appearances at national tournaments.
Individual coaching honors included multiple coach-of-the-year awards across volleyball, golf and rodeo, along with national recognition for assistant volleyball coach Naomi Warren.

Lightfoot also announced a new partnership with Nike and BSN Sports, designed to unify the college’s athletic branding and provide a competitive recruiting advantage.

“This deal is one that you would typically see at the NCAA D1 level,” Lightfoot said. “As an athletic department, we want to be unified and wear the same brand. Being a Nike school gives us a distinct recruiting advantage, and purchasing from BSN will increase our buying power.”

In addition, the board reviewed a proposed tiered incentive program for coaches, presented by Assistant Athletic Director and Head Volleyball Coach Kailee May. The plan would reward postseason success, national rankings, championships and academic achievement.

If implemented in the past year, the program would have cost approximately $26,562 total. Trustees are expected to consider the proposal at their August meeting.

In other business, the board heard a preliminary budget presentation for the upcoming fiscal year from Dr. Andra Cantrell, executive vice president of financial and administrative services, who announced her retirement effective June 30 after 46 years of service to the college.

Cantrell, who was recognized with a standing ovation at the start of the meeting, outlined a balanced $115.1 million budget, noting that final figures for state appropriations and local property tax revenue are still pending. Student aid revenue showed the largest increase at $5.8 million, driven by higher federal Pell Grant and loan funding.

Currently, the tax rate proposed by the administration remains unchanged at 10.609 cents per $100 valuation.

Trustees emphasized the college’s broader role in the regional economy.

“We are an educational institution, but I think sometimes it’s lost what an economic impact this college has on the city of Weatherford and Parker County in general,” said board member G.B. Bailey. “We are a big economic driver for students who live here, faculty who live here, and the things that we do operationally for the college. It’s a big impact on the community in a very positive way.”

In other business, the board:

• Approved the minutes from the May 14 meeting.
• Approved the financial reports ending April 30 and May 31.
• Approved the quarterly investment report.
• Approved renewal of independent audit services with Snow Garrett Williams.
• Approved the 2026-27 board meeting dates.
• Approved authorization for administrative bank signatures to appoint Lisa Simons, WC controller, to serve in an interim capacity until a replacement for Dr. Andra Cantrell is hired.
• Approved the August 2026 called board meeting day recommendation. The board will hold its regular meeting at 12:30 p.m Thursday, Aug. 13, and a public tax hearing and special called meeting at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.
• Approved a contract with Omnia Partners Cooperative for the purchase of intercollegiate athletic insurance.
• Approved the guaranteed maximum price for six tennis practice courts, including lights and parking, for $2.6 million.
• Received written reports from WC Wise County, academics and a student services update.

In his President’s Report, President Tod Allen Farmer:

• Recognized the cardiovascular sonography program for earning accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
• Announced the launch of Weekend College starting in the fall semester, offering Friday and Saturday classes to expand opportunities to students.
• Recognized Dr. Alex Ibe for representing WC and accepting the award for Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges.