"Growing up in the state of Texas, it just seemed like that was what you did, you played football," said Kirby Hocutt, Texas Tech Athletic Director and a former all-conference linebacker at Kansas State. "I started playing in the second grade. It was the first year you could play tackle football. I played football for 16 straight years from second grade through five years of college."

For Hocutt his career in athletics did not end with his playing days in Manhattan, though. Hocutt, who earned a bachelor's degree in political science at K-State, went on to serve as associate athletics director for external operations and sports administration at Oklahoma. While in Norman, Hocutt earned a Masters of Education. His meteoric rise had begun.

Hocutt was named Athletic Director at Ohio University when he was just 33 years old. He then moved on to Coral Gables, where he served in the same role at Miami before the Red Raiders came calling.

"The Tech opportunity was a tremendous one for my family to move back to my home state, to be able to raise my boys in the same state where I grew up, where they would know their grandparents and get to see them more frequently."

Hocutt's seemingly rapid ascension was recognized by Sports Business Journal who named him as a "Forty under 40" recipient in 2010. But for Hocutt, his success is firmly rooted in the lessons her learned playing for the Wildcats and their legendary coach, Bill Snyder.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without those five years in Manhattan," said Hocutt. "I'm extremely fortunate that I go to play for one of the best college football coaches ever in Bill Snyder. Those lessons that he taught us everyday are applicable today. Those are still lessons that I draw from. From being a husband, to being a father to being an athletic director."

Snyder said he's not surprised at all at Hocutt's success. "Kirby was one of those young guys who was a tremendous teammate," he said. "He cared about all the young guys who played with him. He was a good leader in our program. He accepted that responsibility. I've always been proud of him. It's certainly not a surprise that he's achieved the successes that he has. He's a perfect example of what someone can do when they have the right value systems in place."

Having been a student-athlete himself, Hocutt (who was recently named the Big 12 representative on the College Football Playoff selection committee) fully understands the tremendous opportunity afforded by an athletic scholarship.

"My time as a student-athlete provided me with a degree and the experience to be where I am today," he said. "Without it, I wouldn't be sitting here. I'm grateful. It was very beneficial to my family. To have the opportunity to receive a degree, to compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics and leave school debt free – that's an incredible opportunity. I'm thankful I was afforded that chance."