The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) announced Monday that Scott Larson has been named the new Vice President for Athletics. Larson becomes the fourth full-time Director of Athletics in UTPB’s history, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success.
“We are thrilled to welcome Scott Larson to the UTPB family,” UTPB President Sandra Woodley said in a news release. “Scott’s extensive background in athletics administration, combined with his commitment to academic excellence and student-athlete success, makes him the ideal leader to elevate our athletics program to new heights. His vision aligns perfectly with our university’s mission, and I am confident that under his leadership, UTPB Athletics will continue to thrive both on and off the field.”
A seasoned athletics administrator with over two decades of NCAA experience, Larson most recently served as the Director of Athletics at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. His tenure there was marked by strategic growth and increased community engagement.
Prior to his role at Black Hills State, Larson served as the Director of Athletics at Lubbock Christian University (LCU) from June 2019 to August 2023, where he made a significant impact in the Lone Star Conference.
“I am incredibly excited to join UTPB and be part of the Falcon family,” said Scott Larson. “This university has a strong tradition of excellence, and I look forward to building on that foundation. My goal is to continue to develop an environment where our student-athletes can succeed academically, athletically, and personally. Together, we will strive for greatness and bring pride to the UTPB community.”
During his tenure at LCU, Larson oversaw an athletic department that achieved three NCAA Division II national championships in women’s basketball and 20 national championship appearances across multiple sports, including cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. Under his leadership, the baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s golf, and softball teams made a combined 21 South Central Regional appearances since 2015. In 2022-23, LCU reached a program-best 70th place in the Learfield Director’s Cup standings.
Academically, Larson’s influence was equally impressive. Student-athletes at LCU consistently maintained an overall grade point average between 3.2 and 3.4, and a record 119 student-athletes received the 2022-23 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award.
Capital improvements under Larson included the development of a new track and field/soccer facility, a new tennis facility, and the installation of turf and a videoboard for the softball field. Additionally, he led efforts that increased season ticket sales, led to the creation of an athletics booster club, secured a licensing agreement for athletics logos, and developed an NCAA Division II compliance program from scratch.
Larson’s extensive NCAA compliance experience is noteworthy, having held positions at the University of South Carolina Upstate, University of Texas at El Paso, Northern Arizona University, Gardner-Webb University, University of Wisconsin, and Arizona State University. He also played a pivotal role in LCU’s transition to NCAA Division II when he joined the university in June 2012.
At the national level, Larson has been highly involved in NCAA committees, including appointments to the Student Athlete Reinstatement, Legislation (Chair), Compliance Think Tank (Legislative Subgroup Chair), Transfer Portal Advisory Group, Board of Governors Federal and State Legislation working group member for Name, Image, and Likeness, and Softball Regional Advisory Committee. He has also served as a member of the NACDA Executive Committee, NAAC DII Committee Chair, and Division II Education Program Committee Chair. In 2019, Larson was honored with the prestigious NAAC Division II Excellence Award.
Originally from Topeka, Kansas, Larson began his professional career as an undergraduate intern in the Athletics Compliance Office at the University of Tulsa. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in sports administration and later earned his master of business administration (MBA) from Arizona State University. He and his wife, Marla, have two sons, Cade and Reid.
