University of Houston Athletics
Staff Directory
Leighann Westfall
- Title:
- Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development/Executive Director of Cougar Pride
- Email:
Leighann Westfall, a rapid rising professional within collegiate athletics, began as its Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development/Executive Director of Cougar Pride in June 2026.
Westfall will oversee the day-to-day operations and provide administrative supervision of Cougar Pride, Houston Athletics' fundraising arm. She will also implement and manage Houston's major gifts and premium seating programs, focusing on large contributions.
A Houston native, Westfall joins the Cougars from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where she served as Director of Legacy Giving and returns to collegiate athletics after spending six-plus years, across multiple positions, at LSU.
In her most recent role at LSU she served as Tiger Athletic Foundation's Vice President of Donor Relations and Stewardship. In this position she planned and executed all fundraising events, and directed the stewardship program for their major gift society. She also oversaw the operation and fundraising efforts for Baseball, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball booster clubs.
In her first role with LSU Athletics, she served as Executive Director of External Relations and Letterwinner Engagement. Westfall oversaw the daily operations for LSU's L Club, the school's letterwinner program, as well as handled oversight for LSU's spirit squads and community relations unit. She was also responsible for the planning and execution of events such as the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame, the statue unveiling for Seimone Augustus, the annual Mikey Awards and other department-wide initiatives.
Westfall earned her start in college athletics at LSU after working in minor league baseball for the Omaha Storm Chasers. She had previous stints at SMU in their admission office and with the Academy of Country Music Awards working on their operations and events team for several years.
She earned her bachelors degree from Northwestern State and her masters from SMU and resides in Houston.
Westfall will oversee the day-to-day operations and provide administrative supervision of Cougar Pride, Houston Athletics' fundraising arm. She will also implement and manage Houston's major gifts and premium seating programs, focusing on large contributions.
A Houston native, Westfall joins the Cougars from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where she served as Director of Legacy Giving and returns to collegiate athletics after spending six-plus years, across multiple positions, at LSU.
In her most recent role at LSU she served as Tiger Athletic Foundation's Vice President of Donor Relations and Stewardship. In this position she planned and executed all fundraising events, and directed the stewardship program for their major gift society. She also oversaw the operation and fundraising efforts for Baseball, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball booster clubs.
In her first role with LSU Athletics, she served as Executive Director of External Relations and Letterwinner Engagement. Westfall oversaw the daily operations for LSU's L Club, the school's letterwinner program, as well as handled oversight for LSU's spirit squads and community relations unit. She was also responsible for the planning and execution of events such as the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame, the statue unveiling for Seimone Augustus, the annual Mikey Awards and other department-wide initiatives.
Westfall earned her start in college athletics at LSU after working in minor league baseball for the Omaha Storm Chasers. She had previous stints at SMU in their admission office and with the Academy of Country Music Awards working on their operations and events team for several years.
She earned her bachelors degree from Northwestern State and her masters from SMU and resides in Houston.
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