General | 7/15/2026 11:19:00 AM
BROWNWOOD, Texas – Howard Payne University Director of Athletics
Adam Bright has announced the promotion of
Bailee Bachtel to Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Fan Engagement, effective immediately.
A Howard Payne graduate and rising leader within the department, Bachtel transitions into the role after serving as the Athletic Business Operations Assistant, where she played an integral role in the day-to-day operations of the department while supporting coaches, administrators, and campus partners.
In her new position, Bachtel will oversee the department's marketing, fan engagement, branding, game presentation, promotional strategy, and community outreach initiatives. She will lead efforts to elevate the game day atmosphere across all Howard Payne varsity sports while enhancing the visibility of the Yellow Jacket brand and strengthening connections with alumni, students, fans, and the Brownwood community.
"Bailee has earned this opportunity through her work ethic, creativity, and unwavering commitment to Howard Payne University," said Director of Athletics
Adam Bright. "She understands who we are as a Christ-centered institution, she believes in the mission of our athletics department, and she has consistently demonstrated a servant's heart in everything she does. As we continue building the premier Division III athletics experience in Texas, I have complete confidence that Bailee will help lead our marketing and fan engagement efforts to new heights."
A May 2025 graduate of Howard Payne University, Bachtel earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Sport and Wellness Leadership at HPU. Her journey through the athletics department began as an undergraduate student serving as the Student Assistant to the Director of Athletics, where she gained valuable experience working alongside coaches and administrators while also coordinating operations for Yellow Jacket football game days.
Prior to joining the athletics department full-time, Bachtel also gained professional financial experience with Prosperity Bank, helping develop the organizational and business skills that have proven invaluable in her administrative roles. Since returning to Howard Payne full-time, she has been instrumental in managing departmental budgets, streamlining business operations, and supporting the continued growth of the athletics department.
In addition to her business operations responsibilities, Bachtel has become a driving force behind several of the department's external initiatives, helping develop creative marketing campaigns, enhancing the student-athlete experience, supporting community engagement efforts, and assisting with the continued growth of the Yellow Jacket Club and corporate partnerships.
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Howard Payne University in this new role," said Bachtel. "HPU has invested so much in me as both a student and a professional, and it's an honor to give back to a place that means so much to my family and me. I'm excited to continue telling the stories of our incredible student-athletes, creating memorable experiences for our fans, and helping build even stronger connections between Howard Payne Athletics and the Brownwood community."
A Brownwood native, Bachtel has deep ties to Howard Payne Athletics and has grown up around the Yellow Jacket family. Her passion for student-athlete development, community engagement, and the mission of Howard Payne University has made her a valued member of the athletics staff.
As Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Fan Engagement, Bachtel will play a key role in advancing the department's strategic vision by increasing attendance, strengthening community partnerships, expanding digital engagement, enhancing the game day experience, and continuing to build the Howard Payne Athletics brand throughout the Heartland.
"Bailee represents exactly what we hope every Howard Payne student can become," Bright added. "She came here as a student, embraced every opportunity to learn and serve, and has developed into an outstanding young professional. This promotion is well deserved, and we're excited about the impact she'll continue to make for our student-athletes, our campus, and our community."
