LEVELLAND, Texas - For the first time in nearly ten years the South Plains College rodeo program has a new face as Kerry Doster takes over the reins after Josh Crow stepped down in June to pursue other endeavors.

Doster comes to South Plains College after serving as the head coach for men's and women's rodeo at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, where he was also a lecturer in Farrier Technology and manager of the Faskin Ranch facility.

Coach Doster has an ambitious mindset and plans to elevate the programs to new heights very soon.

"Our expectations are to win the men's and women's regional title in the next five years with hopes of a title at the College National Finals Rodeo," states Doster. "The administrative staff at South Plains College has given the rodeo program the resources and the tools to be successful."

A 2006 graduate of Sul Ross State University, Doster participated as a member of the rodeo team in the saddlebronc, bareback and steer wrestling events until attaining his undergraduate degree in ag business with a minor in economics. In May 2009 Doster earned a master's of science degree.

Before transferring to Sul Ross Doster spent two years (1992-1994) at Weatherford College where he also was a member of the rodeo team.

Coach Doster is not the only new face within the rodeo team as he has recently hired Cody Heck to be his assistant.

A native of Perryton, Texas, Heck competed for the South Plains College rodeo team from 2004-2006 and then transferred to Eastern New Mexico University where he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in June, 2008. The following December Heck earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Dairy Science with an emphasis in production management and is now pursuing a masters degree in secondary education, also through Eastern New Mexico University.

Lady Texan head basketball coach Michelle Wyatt recently announced the hiring of SPC alum Tara Lisle as assistant women's basketball coach. Lisle competed for the Lady Texans from 2003-2005 and was a member of the 2005 squad that finished fourth at the NJCAA national tournament.

Upon graduating from South Plains College, Lisle transferred to Tarleton State University where she continued her playing career and earned a degree in exercise and sport studies. Lisle is currently working towards a masters degree in kinesiology and expects to graduate in August 2011.

In other news, assistant men's basketball coach Larry Mendez has recently accepted the position of head men's basketball coach at Coastal Bend College in Beeville, Texas after one season assisting Coach Steve Green's Texan squad.