WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University President Randy Beutler announced Tuesday that he has appointed Todd Helton as Interim SWOSU Athletic Director. Helton will accept the position following the resignation of Todd Thurman on Friday.
“I have great respect for Todd Helton and believe that he will serve our institution, student-athletes and coaches well,” President Beutler stated. “He has done an outstanding job as the Associate Athletic Director and will be a great leader during this unknown time that all athletic departments across the country are dealing with due to the pandemic.”
Helton, the longest-tenured member of the SWOSU Athletic Department, has served in athletics administration since June 2014, most recently as the Associate Athletic Director. Helton was previously the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, but his history with the university goes back much further. He arrived in Weatherford in 1986 as a member of the Bulldog Football team, where he was a standout defensive lineman from 1986-89. Helton was named a First Team NAIA All-American as a senior in 1989 and he was inducted into the SWOSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
“I would like to thank President Randy Beutler for the opportunity to lead the hard-working and talented staff, coaches and student-athletes at SWOSU,” Helton said. “I would also like to thank Todd Thurman for everything he has done for the university and this Athletic Department as well as helping to prepare me personally for this opportunity. I look forward to working hard to build upon the Bulldog tradition of excellence in student-athlete growth and development, championship caliber competition and community engagement.”
Following graduation, Helton joined the SWOSU Athletic Department headed by Cecil Perkins, where he coached football from 1990-2014 under three different head coaches – Paul Sharp, Ryan Held and Dan Cocannouer – and provided a constant link between the past and present. He held the position of Defensive Coordinator from 2005-14 before stepping away from the sideline and into administration. His current duties include coordinating and leading the athletics rules compliance program in accordance with NCAA, Great American Conference and SWOSU rules and regulations while serving as the assistant director of athletic budgets, event management, special events and fundraising.
A native of Perryton, Texas, Helton holds two degrees from SWOSU, earning his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 1991 and a master's degree in Education in 1993. He is the father of two daughters, Kennedie (21) and Ireland (17).