Ribbon Cutting Held for WT's Bain Athletic Complex

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — A state-of-the-art athletics complex and fulfillment of a long-held dream of faithful supporters opened today at West Texas A&M University.

The fully complete Bain Athletic Complex, located on Russell Long Boulevard west of Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium, opened with a ribbon cutting and tours, capping off a nearly 15-year and $12.5 million project.

“Division II athletics is the best division in intercollegiate athletics for student-athletes,” WT President Walter V. Wendler said in prepared remarks. “We have not lost sight of the reason these athletes come to the University: to graduate with a degree so they are better equipped to leave here and be engaged citizens for their family, their employers and their communities. … As long as I am president, the ‘student’ aspect is the highest priority for our athletics programs.”

The complex was the dream of Dr. Barbara and the late Dr. Ray Bain, whose family is among WT’s most generous supporters.

“Ray and I wanted to provide student-athletes at WT the best facilities possible because these young people work so hard to compete and keep up their studies,” Dr. Barbara Bain said. “The grand opening of the Bain Athletics Complex means a great deal to my family. Ray would be so proud that his children have worked to fulfill his vision and dream for WT Athletics.”

Ray Bain attended WT, then became president of First State Bank of Dimmitt in 1985. In 1987, he joined with Stanley Schaeffer and a small group of investors to purchase the bank, which became known as First United Bank in 1994. Today, the bank has expanded to 17 locations across 13 West Texas cities. Bain died in 2013; Schaeffer currently serves as director emeritus.

“We know this complex is a commitment and investment in our University, and we also know it is an investment and commitment in each and every WT student-athlete and our futures,” said J.T. Cavender, a senior mechanical engineering major from Midlothian and linebacker for the Buffaloes.

The now-completed complex will have a lasting impact on WT Athletics, said Doug Lipinski, newly named vice president for athletics.

“The support of student-athletes at WT is among the best in Division II athletics in the nation, and facilities play an important role in recruiting, retaining, and producing successful athletes, coaches, and teams,” said Lipinski, who will be introduced to the community at 10 a.m. July 24 in the Fairly Club at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.

Construction on the first phase of the complex was completed in 2012 with a 3,900-square-foot locker room for the football team.

Phase II, which was completed in 2016, included a 7,600-square-foot weight room with capacity for 500 student-athletes.

Phase III was completed in 2018, providing an athletic training room and locker rooms for the women’s and men’s soccer teams.

The final phase provides more modern office space for administrators and coaches, track & field locker rooms and the Piehl Family Hall, which will provide a large team meeting room space.

The Bain family joined with the Schaeffer family for a $5 million gift in 2022 to officially rename Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium, WT’s on-campus football stadium.

The First United Bank Center, named for the bank founded by Ray Bain with Stanley Schaeffer, opened in January 2002. Home to Buff and Lady Buff basketball, the facility has seating for 5,000 and a scoreboard with a large video screen. The center is commonly used for WT’s commencement exercises and a host of other public events including high school playoff games, conventions and freshmen convocation.

Other campus locations named for the Bain family include the Bain Events Center in the Agricultural Sciences Complex; Dr. Barbara Bain English, Language Arts and Social Studies Classroom in Old Main; and the Ray Bain Media Room in the Classroom Center.

The Barbara Bain Education Scholarship was established in 2014 in honor of her 35 years of elementary school teaching.

Ray Bain was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration in 2013. Barbara Bain was awarded an honorary doctorate in education in 2019.

Providing student-centered facilities like the Bain Athletic Complex is a key mission of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Luminaries cut a ribbon to officially open the $12.5 million Bain Athletic Complex at West Texas A&M University. Pictured are, from left, Travis McPherson of Western Builders; Steve Hill of Project Control; Buffaloes linebacker JT Cavender; WT President Walter V. Wendler; Mike Bain; Mark Bain; Dr. Barbara Bain; Nancy Seybert; Sheila Sims of Sims Architects; Thompson Mayberry; and Kyal Browne, WT student body president.

—WT—