2008 College National Finals Rodeo Contestant Qualification
 

            Top 3 individuals in each event go to CNFR - In the event that any one of the top three individuals in any event cannot attend the CNFR, the next ranking individual by points may take his/her place. Individual next in line to qualify (not to exceed the top 5 rule) will be notified and must be entered prior to the position draw. All CNFR requirements (eligibility, entry fees, etc.) must be satisfied.

 
            First place men’s and women’s teams at the regional level field teams from the top three byes first – then from the top 5 top 30% (6 men/4 women).

            Second place men’s and women’s teams at the regional level field teams from the top three byes first – then from the top 5 top 30% (6 men/4 women).

            All-Around champions qualify in the two events in which they have the most points if they do not have a bye in more than one event. If a coach chooses to use the all-around on team in a third event in which they are not in the top three, they must use another position on that team.

            Reserve all-around champions will also qualify on the above conditions. In the event of ineligibility, the drop down will not extend past the top three.

            All teams will be considered a team at the CNFR if member school. All member school dues and completed member school applications are due by the regional CNFR entry deadline.

            We will take the top three including splits for 3/4.

            Contestants that have byes are only qualified to the CNFR in the events in which they are in top three.

            In the event student directors do not qualify in the top 5/30%, they will be allowed to compete at the CNFR in the one event where they have the most points. If they are qualified in multiple events in the top 5/30% they may select one event in which to compete.

            The top three headers must rope with the top three heelers (in the case of a split for 3/4 – the top four headers must rope with the top four heelers).

            Team Ropers will receive full points at the CNFR.

            Non ‘bye’ student directors, all-arounds needing a second event, and non ‘bye’ on-team members choosing team roping must select the next eligible team roper on the opposite side.

            If a contestant is used to fill one of the six positions on team as a bye, and is used in another event where they are in the top 30% - they will fill another position on the team – thereby they will represent two of the six positions on the men’s team (four on the women’s team) and if more than one position is used in this scenario they will take up that many positions on the teams.

            It is the top two (men’s & women’s) team coaches prerogative to pick which event(s) he/she wishes to use to fill the remainder of their team once all byes have been used from the top 5 or 30%. The contestants in the top 5 or 30% do not need to be selected in the order of their standings in that chosen event. If there are remaining slots left to fill on the team after utilizing the byes and the top 5 or 30%, the remaining selections may be made by dropping below the top 5 or 30%. These contestants also do not need to be selected in the order of their standings in that chosen event.

Live Video Streaming Available for University of Tennessee-Martin Rodeo.

MARTIN, Tenn. --- Rodeo fans will be able to watch Saturday night’s Martin Paving Company’s Championship Finals of the 40th annual UT Martin Spring College Rodeo on the Internet. Live video streaming will be available at ovcsports.com for $5.95. To purchase the live streaming click on the link below.

OvCSports.com

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Press Releases for the NIRA are sponsored by our friends and national sponsors: Wrangler Jeans, US Smokeless Tobacco Co., Dodge Rodeo, Red Wing/Pecos Boots, Maynard Buckles, and  Powder River Livestock Handling Equipment

Harry Vold honored with “Duke of the Chutes” scholarship.

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Foundation Board of Directors recently elected to create an award to honor and reward student members who have exhibited the traits and characteristics that best exemplify Mr. Harry Vold. 

            Harry Vold, a lifetime member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, is widely recognized as one of the most distinguished and respected stock contractors in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the NIRA.  He has been the stock contractor of record for the College National Finals Rodeo for decades.  He has also been the PRCA’s Stock Contractor of the Year numerous times, and one of only two stock contractors to provide stock to every National Finals Rodeo. Rodeo. Rodeo.

            “This scholarship is a tribute to a man that has been a friend to college rodeo, and the sport of rodeo for decades.  Harry is a gentleman and a rodeo icon.  Our foundation board of directors could not be more delighted to honor Harry with this scholarship,” said foundation president and NIRA Commissioner, John Smith.

            Mr. Vold is polite, courteous, loyal, faithful, honest kind and generous.  He is also very patriotic and dedicated to the sport of rodeo.  He has sat on numerous PRCA committees and board of directors.  He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1994.n 1994.n 1994.n 1994.n 1994.

            Mr. Vold is a hard worker, even in his 80’s, Vold is actively involved in the operation of his ranch and the production of his rodeos.rodeos.

            The Foundation chose to honor Vold by sponsoring a $2,500 scholarship in his name, more specifically the “Duke of the Chutes Scholarship Award”. 

            The recipient will be selected by the foundation board of directors at their summer board meeting. 

            Qualifications for the award include: must be an active member in good standing of the NIRA and the institution the applicant is attending, must be making satisfactory progress toward a post-secondary degree, must demonstrate qualities and principles that personify Harry Vold, and must demonstrate dedication to America and to the sport of rodeo.

            The application process includes an application, three essay questions regarding patriotism, rodeo as a sport in America, and the rodeo athlete as a role model with respect to integrity, leadership, and education.  The application must also include a resume of accomplishments and awards, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.dation.

            Applications are available on the NIRA’s website at www.collegerodeo.com.  For more information or a mailed application please contact the NIRA national office at (509) 529-4402.

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The national headquarters of the NIRA are located in Walla Walla, Washington.  More information on the association and results from recent events available on www.collegerodeo.com.

Press Releases for the NIRA are sponsored by our friends and national sponsors: Wrangler Jeans, US Smokeless Tobacco Co., Dodge Rodeo, Red Wing/Pecos Boots, Maynard Buckles, and  Powder River Livestock Handling Equipment

College National Finals Rodeo Sets June 2008 Dates

       The nation’s best college cowboys and cowgirls from eleven different regions will enter into the CNFR arena this June.  The 60th Annual event will begin June 15th and run through June 21st.  NIRA students will compete in Casper, Wyoming, in an effort to win national titles in saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.

     The top three students in each event, and top two men’s and women’s teams from the NIRA’s 11 regions will qualify for the CNFR in Casper.  Student athletes will also be competing for over $200,000 in scholarships from the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Scholarship Awards Program.

     Two special “Bulls, Broncs and Breakaway,” performances will be held on Sunday, June 15th, a matinee at 1:00 p.m. and an evening performance at 4:00 p.m. All remaining performances begin at 7:00 p.m., including the Saturday Championship Round. Slack will be held on the mornings of Monday, June 16th and Tuesday, June 17th, at 7:00 a.m. 

     Ticket prices are $8 for general admission, $15 for reserved seating, and $20 for box seats.  Season passes are available, also.  Tickets will be available for sale in April.  All performances and slack will be held at the Casper Events Center.  A trade show is also planned.   

     Additionally, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Foundation is making plans for the 4th Annual Style Show Auction & Luncheon.  The fundraiser is planned for June 21st.

            You are invited to visit the NIRA’s web page: www.collegerodeo.com for more info on the NIRA and the CNFR.

National Intercollegiat Rodeo Foundation and Rawhide Program Scholarship Awards

Walla Walla, WA –  Each year the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Foundation, along with the Rawhide program, awards deserving students scholarship money for exemplifying outstanding academic and personal qualities that show leadership and community involvement. Once again, this year’s applicants were the best of the best and made it challenging for the scholarship committee to narrow the field to just a few winners.

   The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Foundation awards a $1500 scholarship to each winner. The student must be an active member of the NIRA and be currently enrolled full-time in school. This year’s recipients are Jena Bubak and Lindy Schirado. Both of these girls showed the quality and character that is necessary in earning this scholarship along with high academic achievement.

   Jena is currently attending the University of Montana, Western, studying business with an accounting emphasis. Her goal is to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and ultimately obtain her CPA certificate. Before transferring to the University of Montana, Western, Jena attended the College of Southern Idaho where she was the Team Captain for the girls’ rodeo team. Jena was also the Reserve Women’s All-Around Champion for the Rocky Mountain Region in 2006-07. She qualified for the 2007 CNFR in the team roping and the breakaway roping events.

   Lindy attends North Dakota State University and is majoring in Microbiology. After completing her undergraduate studies, Lindy hopes to transfer to a school that offers veterinary medicine and attain her DVM. Her ultimate goal is to become a large animal vet and practice in North Dakota, while still pursuing her love to rodeo. Lindy maintains high standards for herself and is actively involved in numerous on-campus and community programs all while maintaining her name on the Dean’s List.

   The Rawhide Program offers two $500 scholarships each year, one to a male recipient and one to a female recipient. This scholarship is awarded to the recipients who exemplify the most positive lifestyle choices in alignment with the Rawhide principles. This year’s recipients were Nicole Steffes and Brad Johnson, both of the Central Rocky Mountain Region.

   Nicole Steffes is our current Central Rocky Mountain Student Director and attends the University of Wyoming. (See article on page 4). Nikki is currently pursuing a career in medicine with a double major in Molecular Biology and Medical Microbiology, with a minor in Chemistry. She was also our 2007 CNFR Women’s All-Around Champion and is currently leading in the all-around points for the Central Rocky Mt. Region.

   Brad Johnson is currently attending Gillette College in Gillette, Wyoming and is majoring in farm/ranch management. He is a transfer student from Eastern Wyoming College where he was elected student body Vice President his second year. Brad was fourth place in the year-end steer wrestling standings for the Cental Rocky Mt. Region in 2006-07 and is currently tied for first place in the steer wrestling for the 2007-08 season thus far. He also qualified for the 2007 CNFR by taking second place as a header in the team roping.

   We wish all of these winners the very best in their academic and rodeo pursuits! Congratulations!

COLLEGE RODEO ON NATIONAL TELEVISION

Walla Walla, WA –  College Rodeo takes the spotlight on College Sports Television in August.  For the fourth year the best action from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association will be featured by CSTV.

     The college rodeo action begins airing on Friday, August 3rd at 9:00 p.m. ET.  

     CSTV will be airing three hours of collegiate rodeo competition from the 2007 College National Finals Rodeo, held in Casper, Wyoming, this June.    

     The exciting action of the finals also includes interviews and features from the entire finals week and portions of the awards ceremony. The live audience for this event broke all records.

     Hosting the CSTV College Rodeo series are Boyd Polhamus and Bob Tallman with Angie Burton interviewing the contestants on the arena floor.

"College National Finals Rodeo"

Show #1 - Premieres
Friday, August 3rd 9:00 p.m. ET

Show #2 - Premieres
Friday, August 10th 9:00 p.m. ET

Show #3 - Premieres
Friday, August 17th 9:00 p.m. ET

Additional airings of each show will air throughout the month of August.

CSTV is a part of CBS Sports and can be seen on most cable systems around the country. The programs may also be viewed on DirecTV Channel 610 and Dish Network Channel 152. To find out where CSTV is available go to CSTV.com and enter your Zip Code.