Dr. Tex L. Kassen was Athletic Director at Southwestern from 1971 to 1985. He was instrumental in developing a women's athletic program and bringing the state UIL Cross Country Meet to campus. His teams won numerous district championships and played in a number of national championships. Kassen holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Oklahoma University and a doctorate in education and athletic administration from the University of Houston.

For 25 years, before joining SU, he taught math, coached football and served as athletic director in high schools throughout Texas. In 1987, he received the Shorty Alderson Award for outstanding service from the Austin Chapter of the Southwest Football Officials Association. In 1994, he was inducted into the Southwest Football Officials Association Hall of Fame.

A longtime member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District IV Executive Committee, he was Commissioner and Sports Information Director for the Big State Conference. In 1989, he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the association's highest honor. In 1983, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce honored Kassen for his community service.

Each year in his honor, the Kinesiology Department presents the Tex Kassen Outstanding Student Award during Honors Assembly and the Intramural Department holds the "Kassen Cage Classic."