By: Brandon Warr, Athletics Communication Specialist
The University of Texas Permian Basin Athletic Department is proud to announce the inaugural UTPB Athletics Hall of Fame class.
This year's honorees include standout student-athletes Amithy Henry, Chris Hoad, Evan Gattis, and Tammy Acosta, along with legendary coaches Andy Newman and Dr. Steve Aicinena, who will also be recognized for his long-standing dedication to the University.
The official induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Amithy Henry
Volleyball – Outside Hitter (2005–2008)
Amithy Henry's career at The University of Texas Permian Basin is one of the most dominant and decorated in Falcon volleyball history. A four-year starter, two-time conference champion, and multiple-time All-Region selection, Henry set the standard for excellence during the program's transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II—and still holds nearly every major offensive record more than a decade later.
Arriving in Odessa in 2005, Henry made an immediate impact, earning First-Team All-Region and All-Conference honors in her freshman season as the Falcons advanced to the NAIA Region VI Tournament. As UTPB joined the NCAA in 2006, Henry's production only grew. She was named Second-Team All-Heartland Conference in 2006, then followed that up with back-to-back First-Team selections in 2007 and 2008. As a senior, Henry earned Daktronics First-Team All-Region honors and helped lead UTPB to its first NCAA Tournament appearance after clinching the Heartland Conference regular-season title.
For a more extensive bio click here
Chris Hoad
Football – Linebacker (2015-2019)
Chris Hoad was a foundational piece of The University of Texas Permian Basin football, joining the program as part of its inaugural recruiting class in 2015 and quickly cementing his legacy as the most decorated player in Falcon history.
A four-year starter and defensive cornerstone, Hoad ended his career by tallying an astounding 526 total tackles over 44 games and remains UTPB's all-time leader in total tackles in a career, tackles in a season (157 in 2019), tackles in a game (24), forced fumbles (9) and fumbles recovered (5). Hoad recorded over 100 tackles in every season and earned numerous honors, including two Lone Star Conference Linebacker of the Year awards and multiple All-American recognitions from the Associated Press, AFCA, D2CCA and Don Hansen Football Committee.
For a more extensive bio click here
Evan Gattis
Baseball – Catcher / Designated Hitter (2010)
After stepping away from baseball for nearly four years, Evan Gattis reignited his career in 2010 at UT Permian Basin—a move that would change his life forever.
A call from his stepbrother and Falcon pitcher Drew Kendrick brought Gattis to Odessa, where he joined the UTPB baseball team for what would be his only collegiate season. In that short time, he became one of the most dominant hitters in program history. Gattis batted .403 with 12 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 77 hits—leading the Falcons in virtually every offensive category while guiding the team to a 38–21 record and a run to the Heartland Conference title game. His incredible season earned him First-Team All-Heartland Conference honors and caught the attention of professional scouts.
For a more extensive bio click here
Tammy Acosta
Women's Basketball – Point Guard (2008-2012)
One of the most accomplished players in University of Texas Permian Basin history, Tammy Acosta left a legacy on the court that remains unmatched. The El Paso native redefined excellence during her four-year career, setting numerous records and earning a long list of accolades that still resonate within the program today.
Tammy Acosta's name is etched across nearly every major category in UTPB women's basketball history. From day one, she was a difference-maker—on the scoreboard, in the record books, and for her teammates. Her elite combination of scoring, playmaking, and leadership made her one of the most dynamic players in the Heartland Conference and a foundational figure in UTPB Athletics.
For a more extensive bio click here
Andy Newman
Men's Basketball Coach (2013-2018)
Andy Newman took over the UT Permian Basin men's basketball program in 2013 and quickly transformed it into one of the top teams in the South Central Region. A former Division I interim head coach at Cal State Fullerton, Newman brought with him a dynamic, fast-paced offensive style that redefined Falcon basketball.
In just five seasons, Newman compiled a 101–50 overall record and led UTPB to five consecutive winning seasons, back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, and the deepest postseason run in program history. His 2016–17 squad captured the university's first Lone Star Conference regular season and tournament titles and made the Falcons' NCAA Tournament debut. Newman followed that historic campaign with another 26-win season in 2017–18, highlighted by the program's first NCAA Tournament win and a thrilling quadruple-overtime victory to reach the Sweet 16.
For a more extensive bio click here
Dr. Steve Aicinena
Admin/Volleyball Coach (1995-2017)
Dr. Steve Aicinena served as a cornerstone of UT Permian Basin Athletics for more than two decades, shaping the department from the ground up. He was named the University's Director of Athletics in 1995 and held the position until his retirement in 2017. Simultaneously, he led the volleyball program from its club beginnings in 1994 through its rise to NCAA Division II competition, serving as the program's first and only head coach until stepping down in 2014.
A retired Professor of Kinesiology and Doctor of Education, Dr. Aicinena compiled a career record of 337-321 as head volleyball coach. Under his leadership, the Falcons navigated the early challenges of being a fledgling NAIA program with limited resources and no scholarships. Despite the odds, the team earned its first Red River Conference championship in 1999, defeating a fully-funded Houston Baptist squad. They followed it up with back-to-back Red River Western Division titles in 2000 and 2001.
For a more extensive bio click here
