San Marcos, Texas – Texas State Athletics has announced the hiring of Tammy West Fife as the new Director of Strutters effective July 1, 2013. Fife, a Texas State alumnus and former Strutter, will look to continue the tradition and success that the program has been known to produce.

“We are very excited to announce Tammy Fife as our new Director of Strutters,”said Athletics Director Dr. Larry Teis. “She possesses all the skills and traits that we were looking for in our next director and she did a tremendous job throughout the interview process.  We look forward to the future of the Strutters under Tammy's leadership and continuing the history of excellence demanded by Susan Angell-Gonzalez and Barbara Tidwell.”

Fife becomes only the third ever Director of Strutters, she will replace Angell who announced her retirement after directing the Strutters program for the past 17 years. Angell was the first Strutter to be inducted into the Strutters Hall of Fame, and will leave behind a legacy of excellence and commitment to the organization.  Barbara Tidwell was the very first Director of Strutters, leading the team for 37 years beginning in 1960. 

“Tammy Fife has worked closely with me for 16 years, and I know firsthand that she has the passion and drive to take the Strutters to the next level,” Angell said. “I feel confident that Tammy will keep the tradition of excellence in performance strong at Texas State as she will be training students with tremendous talent and athletic ability.”

Fife is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Fine Arts College at Texas State, where she has been a faculty member since 1996. Fife's classes include Recreational Dance, Jazz, and Ballet; in addition, she taught Dance Curriculum and supervised Dance Student Teachers.  She also is credited with creating and teaching the three hour course- Dance Team Directing.  

Out of the classroom, Fife's dance resume includes choreographed pieces for the Strutters' Spectacular, the Texas Dance Educators Association All-State Dancers, and Opening Door Dance Theatre. From 2009-13 Fife has presented workshops at the TDEA where she has spoken on the topics of Teaching Modern Dance, Choreography, Ballet and Jazz, along with Dance Team Directing.

Fife has been an assistant director for the Strutters since 2002. She has previous experience as an interim Strutters Director, and was the director of the Junior Strutter Program from 1999-2008. Before joining the Strutters' staff, Fife was a successful high school dance instructor for eight years. During her time in the high school ranks, Fife's teams earned “Best 5A Team” and “Best 4A Team” and choreography honors in jazz, prop, and kick.

“Tammy is seasoned and very worthy of the position,” said Tidwell. “She has supported and assisted Susan Angell and the Strutters organization in the past. Tammy and her husband have been committed to Bobcat Athletics, the University and the San Marcos community for over 20 years.”

Fife earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Dance and Business from Texas State. She was awarded the Lifetime Texas Teaching Certificate in Dance, Business, and Physical Education. While at Texas State, Fife was a member and officer of the Strutters, and was a dance instructor for Halftime U.S.A.

Fife earned a Master of Science in Dance from the University of Houston in 1992, and followed it up with a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography and Performance from Sam Houston State in 2006.

Fife has been a member of the Texas State Alumni Association since 1995. From 1995-98 Fife served on the Board of Directors, and from 1999 to 2005 she was an officer of Strutters Always Chapter, including serving as the president of Strutters Always in 2004. Fife has also been a longtime member of the Texas Dance Educators Association.

The Texas State Strutters have proudly carried the name of the university around the world, performing in 22 countries spanning the globe.  The Strutters have performed in presidential inaugural parades, NFL and NBA games, Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades, movies and national television commercials.

Fife and her husband, Jimmy, a former Bobcat football standout, have two children - Lane and Julia.