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News
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Aug 3, 2011
COLLEGE
RODEO ON NATIONAL TELEVISION
Walla
Walla, WA –
College
Rodeo will be in the television spotlight this August. The
best action from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association’s premiere event, the College National Finals
Rodeo, will be featured on ESPN U.
The
college rodeo action begins airing on Friday, August 12th at
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
ESPN U will be airing two hours of collegiate rodeo
competition from the 2011 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.
Hosting the ESPN U College Rodeo series are Boyd Polhamus
and Bob Tallman. The Wyoming Division of Tourism is the
presenting sponsor, with fellow supporters; Houston
Livestock Show & Rodeo, Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association, Copper Spring Ranch, Dodge, the Casper Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the ProEquine Group,
including Cactus Ropes, Cactus Saddles, Fastback Ropes, and
ProEquine.
College National Finals Rodeo
tc "College
National Finals Rodeo "on ESPNU
Show #1 - Premieres
Friday, August 12th, 7:00 p.m. ET
Show #2 - Premieres
Friday, August 12th, 8:00 p.m. ET
Additional airings of each show will air throughout the
month of August.
Show #1 – Re-Air
Saturday, August 13th 3:00 a.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Sunday, August 14th 10:00 a.m. ET
Show #1 – Re-Air
Sunday, August 14th 9:00 a.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Sunday, August 14th 10:00 p.m. ET
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May 18, 2011
******FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE*****
Wyoming Requirements on Horses
Due to concern over
the recent Equine Herpes Virus 1 neurologic situation in
several western states, the Wyoming Livestock Board will
immediately begin requiring an official certificate of
veterinary inspection within 72 hours of entry into Wyoming
for imported Equine. The certificate must include the
temperature recorded for each horse listed. The statements:
"No horses listed have been exposed to any horse infected
with or exposed to EHV1." and "No horses listed are showing
any clinical signs of EHV1." must be written on the
certificate.
This order is effective May 19, 2011 and will continue in
effect until rescinded by the Wyoming State Veterinarian.
At this time Wyoming has no confirmed cases of EHV1 and
there have been no suspect cases reported in the state.
There are several major equine events upcoming in Wyoming
and we want to protect our horse industry and event
contestants to the extent that it is possible.
“The NIRA and CNFR officials
are also requesting that contestants bringing horses to
Casper, please keep a temperature log of your horse(s) for 5
days prior to arrival. Please document a.m. and p.m. checks.
Also, have this information on hand when arriving to Casper.
Thank you for your help.”
For more information please contact the WLSB offices at 307
777 7515 or 307 857 4140.
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May 16, 2011
Important Memo regarding CNFR2011
To: All CNFR 2011 Contestants who will be bringing horses to
the 2011 CNFR
Coaches of above mentioned contestants
From: Dr. Don Cobb, DVM – CNFR Veterinarian
Roger B. Walters, NIRA Commissioner
TOPIC : Equine Health for 2011 CNFR-EXTREME LEVEL OF CONCERN
I am sure all of you are aware of the recent outbreak of the
Equine Herpes virus that has impacted the equine industry.
Outbreaks have been reported throughout the United States.
We are well aware of the value of your horses. With that in
mind we are also aware of how important they are to you at
all times, but probably more so during an event like the
CNFR. Therefore we are requesting your assistance in taking
precautionary steps to lessen the potential of a problem
during the CNFR. In addition, this virus has a very
unpredictable incubation period and these precautions will
be just as beneficial to you after the CNFR is concluded.
You have a vested interested in this important matter. YOUR
COOPERATION IS RECCOMENDED:
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
1) A current Coggins and health certificate. The health
certificate shall contain;
A. CVI (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) within the
last 14 days.
B. The temperature of each horse.
C. Date of vaccination for equine herpes.
D. Name of vaccine used.
As an additional safety precaution we are suggesting that
the coaches (or whoever is traveling with the contestants)
take the temperature of the horses each morning. ANY
ABNORMAL TEMP. READING should be reported to DR. COBB
immediately.
I am well aware of this inconvenience, but I am convinced it
is in your best interest.
Roger B. Walters
NIRA Commissioner
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May 4, 2011
COLLEGE
RODEO AWARDS NEW DODGE TRUCK
Walla
Walla, WA – Phyllis
Gray, from Grand Cane, Louisiana, was the lucky recipient of
the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s 2011 Dodge
Truck award.
The drawing was held at the
National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s national office
in the afternoon of May 2nd. The NIRA’s
Northwest Regional Faculty Director, Buster Baron and the
entire national office staff witnessed the drawing.
Phillis Gray is a sophomore
at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in the Central
Plains Region. Gray is currently working on her sports
medicine degree and planning to work as a physical therapist
for rodeo athletes.
NIRA Commissioner Roger
Walters told Ms. Gray the good news over the phone that
afternoon. Ms. Gray responded, “Sir, are you sure about
that? Really? Really? Really?”
Commissioner Walters added,
“This is one of the best parts of being the commissioner.”
When asked how she felt about
the award, Ms. Gray said, “I’m still in shock, I don’t know
what to say. I’m excited!”
The 2011 Dodge truck will be
presented during the College National Finals Rodeo in
Casper, Wyoming. The presentation will take place in the
arena on Saturday, June 18th.
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May 3, 2011
College
National Finals Rodeo Chooses Casper for Another Decade!
Casper, WY – The City of Casper, Natrona
County, and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA)
are proud to announce the signing of a ten year contract to
host the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). A public
signing ceremony will be hosted at City Hall on Wednesday,
May 4 at 9:00 am.
NIRA Commissioner, Roger Walters states, “We
could not be happier to be signing this extension. The City
of Casper, Natrona County, and the State of Wyoming have
created an exceptional home for the College National Finals
Rodeo. We are honored to partner with these great entities,
and the great people of Wyoming.”
The CNFR proves to be a signature event for
the state of Wyoming generating approximately $1 million
dollars in economic impact annually. In 2009, the CNFR was
voted and honored by the Sports Travel Magazine as the “Best
Multi-Sport or Multi-Discipline Collegiate Event.”
We welcome the nation’s best college cowboys
and cowgirls 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 new ten year contract will be effective
beginning in July 2012 through June 2022.
CNFR DATES
2011 June 12-18
2012 June 10-16
2013 June 9-15
2014 June 15-21
2015 June 14-20
2016 June 12-18
2017 June 11-17
2018 June 10-16
2019 June 9-15
2020 June 14-20
2021 June 13-19
2022 June 12-18
More CNFR event information at
www.caspereventscenter.com
and at NIRA’s web pages:
www.collegerodeo.com
and
www.CNFR.com
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March 28, 2011
Scholarships Announced for 2011 College National Finals Rodeo
The National Intercollegiate
Rodeo Foundation Board of Directors announced today that
they will be contributing $35,000 to the scholarship awards
program at the 2011 College National Finals Rodeo.
The scholarship awards will be presented as follows:
Team Awards
Men's 1st $5,000
Men’s 2nd $3,000
Men's 3rd $2,000
Total: $10,000
Women's 1st $3,000
Women's 2nd $2,000
Women's 3rd $1,000
Total: $6,000
Individual
Champions $1,000 each (10)
2nd Place $500 each (10)
All-Arounds $1,500 each (2)
Total: $19,000
Grand Total: $35,000
All scholarship funds will be awarded to the winning
participant’s educational institution.
Additionally, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Alumni
Association has graciously volunteered to donate a $1,000
scholarship to the 4th place men’s team, and a $500
scholarship to the 4th place women’s team.
The 63rd Annual event will begin June 12th and run through
June 18th. 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.
You are invited to visit the NIRA’s web page:
www.collegerodeo.com for more info on the NIRA and the CNFR.
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January 26, 2011
College Rodeo Foundation
to Auction Exclusive Montana Hunt
The National Intercollegiate
Rodeo Foundation is happy to present a fabulous hunting trip
to Montana! The guided rifle or bow hunt is being
generously donated by Lost Creek Outfitters (Pine Mountain,
Montana), and includes transportation to and from the
airport (Bozeman, Montana), lodging at camp (wall tents,
cots & foam pad), all food at camp (prepared by chef),
guide, elk & mule deer. This hunt has a retail value of
$14,000!
The highest bidder is
responsible for getting a Montana Big Game Combination
Hunting License (application must be in by March 15, 2011).
See link for out-of-state applications (https://app.mt.gov/Als/Index).
Should the successful bidder not receive a license for this
year’s hunt, the hunt can be rescheduled for 2012.
Lost Creek Outfitters has the
following dates available for 2011:
Bow Season: September 5th
– 9th, September 12th – 16th,
September 19th – 23rd, October 3rd
– 7th, and October 10th – 14th.
Rifle Season: October 31st
– November 4th, November 7th – 11th,
November 14th – 18th, and November 21st
– 25th.
Lost Creek Outfitters is happy
to answer any guide related questions. Jeremy Fatouros can
be reached at 406-223-5055.
All proceeds from this auction
will go toward the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Foundation
to support the charitable causes which include scholarship
awards for National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association
students, injured athlete relief, historical preservation of
college rodeo and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association, and the RAWHIDE program (Rodeo Athletes on
Wellness).
As with most non-profit
organizations, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Foundation
has been hit very hard this year. Our scholarship awards
program has suffered tremendously. With this generous
donation from Lost Creek Outfitters, and generous bidders
from you, we hope to create a wonderful scholarship resource
for the future of college rodeo!
For more information and to bid,
please visit
www.biddingforgood.com/CollegeRodeoHunt.
The bidding will open on February 10th, and close
on February 21st. Thanks for bidding!
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January 1, 2011
COLLEGE
RODEO ALUMNI SET ANNUAL REUNION
All National Intercollegiate
Rodeo Association (NIRA) event
champions from 1949-2010 will be honored at the 20th Annual
NIRA Alumni Reunion June 17 - 18, 2011, at the College
National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming.
This will
be a first for college rodeo—having all the event champions
appear together to be honored. National Champions for each
event will be photographed together. This is being done to
celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the NIRA
Alumni, so having all the event champions there for these
historical photos will be a once in a life-time chance to be
recognized together.
The
reunion will be held at the Ramada Plaza Riverside
Hotel in Casper, and the
rodeo will be at the Casper Events Center.
This is a
mighty big undertaking: finding and bringing together
College National Champions from six decades of competition.
If you were a National Champion or know someone who was or
if you are person who just loves rodeo and rodeo history,
spread the word and plan to attend.
The reunion, held during the final weekend of the CNFR, is an
opportunity to see all the national event champions, meet
old friends, and enjoy a great rodeo. Activities include a
hospitality room, two days of meetings and introductions,
picture taking, awards, luncheons, catching up, story
telling, and watching new national champions win their
titles at the 2011 CNFR.
“Becoming
a National College Champion required hard work, great
skills, outstanding horses, family backing, keeping that
grade point up, perseverance, a big dose of ‘try’ and a lot
of good luck. We want all those champions to come to Casper
to tell their stories and be recognized for their
outstanding achievements,” says Sylvia Mahoney, a former
rodeo coach and a founder of the NIRA Alumni.
A list of all the college national
champions, their events, and schools can be found on our web
page at
www.collegerodeoalumni.com.
Contact information for the alumni and information on the
reunion can be found there as well.
The NIRA
Alumni is an organization dedicated to collecting and
preserving NIRA history and promoting college rodeo with
reunions and scholarships. The Alumni present the Man and
Woman Rookie of the Year scholarships and team scholarships
each year at the conclusion of the College National Finals
Rodeo.
Sharon
Adams
Secretary, NIRAA
414 West Buist Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85041
(602) 268-5874
sgadams38@aol.com
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July 28, 20100
COLLEGE RODEO ON NATIONAL TELEVISION
Walla Walla, WA –
College
Rodeo will be in the television spotlight this August. The
best action from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association’s premiere event, the College National Finals
Rodeo, will be featured on ESPN U.
The college rodeo
action begins airing on Friday, August 13th at 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time.
ESPN U will be airing
two hours of collegiate rodeo competition from the 2010
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.
Hosting the ESPN U
College Rodeo series are Boyd Polhamus and Bob Tallman, with
Angie Burton interviewing the contestants on the arena
floor. The Wyoming Division of Tourism is the presenting
sponsor, with fellow supporters; Wrangler, Houston Livestock
Show & Rodeo, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Copper
Spring Ranch, Dodge, the Casper Area Convention and Visitors
Bureau, and the ProEquine Group, including Cactus Ropes,
Cactus Saddles, Fastback Ropes, and ProEquine.
College National Finals Rodeo on ESPNU
Show #1 - Premieres
Friday, August 13th, 8:00 p.m. ET
Show #2 - Premieres
Friday, August 13th, 9:00 p.m. ET
Additional airings of each show will air throughout the
month of August.
Show #1 – Re-Air
Friday, August 13th 4:00 a.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Friday, August 13th 5:00 a.m. ET
Show #1 – Re-Air
Saturday, August 14th 10:00 a.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Saturday, August 14th 11:00 a.m. ET
Show #1 – Re-Air
Monday, August 16th, 8:00 a.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Monday, August 16th, 9:00 a.m. ET
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July 20, 2010
Coach of the Year
On Wednesday night, CJ Aragon, Mesaland
Community College’s rodeo coach, was awarded the prestigious
award of Coach of the Year for the National Intercollegiate
Rodeo Association (NIRA).
Aragon, who is also the faculty director and
three-time coach of the year for the Grand Canyon region,
said that receiving this award has been “pretty humbling”.
Aragon grew up in Kamiah, Idaho and competed in many
different levels of rodeo including junior, high school,
college and professional. In high school, he and his
brother Jake won the 1993 Idaho state team roping
championship
After high school, he went to college at
Lewis Clark State College on a rodeo scholarship and then
transferred to New Mexico State University, where he
graduated with a degree in journalism. While at New Mexico
State University, he was the 1998 NIRA reserve l champion
in steer wrestling.
After college, Aragon put his journalism
degree to work writing for several publications, including
Super Looper and The All Around. His competitive nature kept
him in the rodeo arena as well as a member of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Staying close to home in the Turquoise
Circuit, he has had 11 qualifications to their Circuit
Finals as well as one trip to the Dodge National Circuit
Finals Rodeo. He even has represented the United States in
the Sydney Royal International Rodeo held in Sydney,
Australia.
Aragon began his career as coach at Mesaland
Community College in the fall of 2007 after hearing about
the opening from another instructor. Since then, his
students have improved in both academics and the rodeo
arena. In three years, they have set the team GPA record
three times and have had seven Academic All Americans.
This year they have seven qualifiers in the
College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR), which is the most they
have had in the history of the program.
“I’ve got a pretty unique group of kids”,
Aragon said.
About his plans for the future, “Keep going,
keep trying to get better, [and] keep trying to graduate all
our kids.”
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July, 2010
Judge Dave
Park, CNFR Committee, Casper, Wyoming
The 2010 College
National Finals Rodeo is now in the record books, and as we
get ready for the 2011 CNFR, I want to take a minute and on
behalf of the CNFR Promotions Committee, thank all of the
national and local sponsors of this great event. This year
we had more sponsor dollars than ever. It is impossible to
over-state the importance of these sponsorships; without
them, there would be no CNFR.
Sponsoring the CNFR is still a smart business
decision. This year, we had 390 contestants, representing
36 states and 3 Canadian provinces. In addition, there were
the college coaches and the contestant’s families, and of
course the dedicated fans who attended the 6 nightly rodeos.
Media coverage was extensive, and included state wide
coverage by newspapers, television and radio. In addition,
national print and media reporters were in attendance. The
ESPN networks will have national broadcasts in August,
2010. All of this means that sponsor products were
introduced not only to the rodeo audiences who came from all
across the country, but also to a large viewer audience.
I continue to believe that there are other, and
perhaps more important reasons to sponsor this unique
American event. Wise business decisions are, of course,
essential. However, we all have a stake in the future of
this great nation. Sponsorship of the CNFR also helps
support our future leaders. It has been a great personal
privilege for me to work with college rodeo because I have
had the opportunity to work with this outstanding group of
young people. These contestants have been taught by their
families and coaches to be polite and respectful; they have
unusually strong values, a moral commitment and a sense of
dedication to their country and their communities. They are
the elite of college rodeo, and this is because they are
used to setting high goals, and then achieving them through
a strong work ethic. These habits and characteristics will
make them the leaders of their towns, states and the
nation.
As with past years, these sponsors support not
only the rodeo, but the events that are set up in
conjunction with it such as the golf tournament, the
softball tournament, and the Special Olympics Rodeo.
Support for the NIRA and the CNFR allows us to put on the
CNFR and rewards the contestants for their hard work and
commitment. In addition, it shows these young folks the
importance of supporting important programs and events that
build communities. Again, I would like to extend my
appreciation to all of the CNFR sponsors. Your
contributions are a wise investment that will continue to
pay out in many ways for years to come.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not take this
opportunity to thank Roger Walters, NIRA Commissioner, for
his hard work and commitment to college rodeo. His
dedication to college rodeo student-athletes is second to
none. He is a tireless ambassador for college rodeo, and
without his efforts, the rodeo would not be the success that
it is. it is.
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June, 2010
COLLEGE RODEO AWARDS NEW DODGE TRUCK
Walla Walla, WA
– Ethan Weiser, from
Arlington, Oregon, was the lucky recipient of the National
Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s 2010 Dodge Truck award.
The drawing was held at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association’s national office in the afternoon of May 12th.
The NIRA’s Northwest Regional Faculty Director, Buster Baron
and the entire national office staff witnessed the drawing.
Ethan Weiser is a freshman at the University of Nevada-Las
Vegas, in the West Coast Region. Weiser is currently working
on his kinesiology degree.
NIRA Commissioner Roger Walters told Mr. Weiser the good
news over the phone that afternoon. Commissioner Walters
said, “I asked him if he knew a Roger Walters, and he said
he did not. I then told him who I was and that he had won
the NIRA Dodge Truck.”
Weiser said, “What kind of a joke is this?” Walters was able
to convince him of the award, and he was a “super happy kid
after that,” said Walters.
Commissioner Walters added, “This is one of the best parts
of being the commissioner.”
Weiser did confirm the award with his coach at UNLV, Ric
Griffith. Griffith said Weiser had indicated earlier in the
rodeo season that he was going to go home this summer and
work really hard to save enough money to buy a truck to pull
a horse trailer.
The 2010 Dodge truck will be presented during the College
National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. The presentation
will take place in the arena on Saturday, June 19th.
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September, 2009
COLLEGE RODEO ANNOUNCES NEWEST
SPONSOR
Walla Walla, WA – The
National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association is pleased to
announce Copper Spring Ranch (CSR) as our newest sponsor.
Copper Spring Ranch is a world class equine facility located
in Bozeman, Montana. The ranch is proud to say that they are
about one thing – “amazing horses”. They have world class
facilities for hosting master horsemanship clinics, as well
as a world class breeding program. Their Quarter Horse
breeding program begins with the meticulous selection of
bloodlines. The Copper Spring Ranch website states, “We rely
on today’s top-performing stallions and exquisite brood
mares to produce the perfect progeny – horses with a
combination of speed, toughness and intelligence.”
NIRA Commissioner, Roger Walters said, “I can’t think of a
more suitable sponsor for college rodeo. Copper Spring Ranch
is about amazing horses, and college rodeo is about amazing
athletes riding amazing horses.”
Another astounding entity that they have to offer is the
innovative CSR Equine Medical Center. The center is a
combination of cutting-edge technology with medical
expertise in surgery, reproductive services, sports
medicine/performance, and general health and preventative
care for all breeds and disciplines. With this sponsorship,
the managers for the ranch, Gary and Sandie Metcalf, have
reserved the Copper Spring Ranch mobile equine medical
center for the College National Finals Rodeo for 2010 and
2011. This will give the CNFR contestants on-site access to
top notch equipment for equine care.
Sandie Metcalf said, “Some of these progressive rodeo
programs are requiring the students to participate in all
aspects of rodeo, from fund raising activities to
organization and production. This approach is not only
invaluable to the student but to future employers as well.
These programs give the students the experience to excel in
their chosen careers and provide a leg up for them to be
successful in the future.”
Mrs. Metcalf speaks from experience, as Copper Spring Ranch
has hired NIRA Student President and Big Sky Student
Director, Taylor Nahrgang as their most recent employee.
Nahrgang has been assisting with promotions for the ranch.
Gary Metcalf added, “The NIRA is doing an outstanding job
with many of the colleges by promoting responsible and
ethical coaching programs that hopefully will give
contestants a North Star to guide them for the rest of their
lives. For them, the rodeo arena is a training ground.”
The owner of Copper Spring Ranch, Karen Gilhousen said,
“Copper Spring Ranch is excited about supporting the
National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and the students
who represent this sport. It is truly a part of our western
heritage.”
With western heritage as a key component for both the NIRA
and Copper Spring Ranch, the two are certain to benefit from
a long partnership.
For more information on Copper Spring Ranch, please visit
them on the web at copperspringranch.com.
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September, 2009
College Rodeo steps into 21st
Century
Walla Walla, WA –
“Do you Facebook?”
“Huh?” used to be the response from the NIRA’s national
office staff. Not anymore.
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association members,
contestants, and fans can now enjoy the 21st Century because
the NIRA has their very own Facebook page, thanks to the
dedication and hard work of Big Sky Regional Student
Director and Student President, Taylor Nahrgang.
Nahrgang, who attends the University of Montana, Western,
had the page up and running on Tuesday, September 15th, and
by Thursday of that week, the NIRA had over 500 friends.
“Apparently, today’s college rodeo students are looking for
ways to stay connected with fellow college rodeo athletes,
coaches, and fans; Facebook is just the place for that,”
said NIRA Director of Public Relations, Sarah Neely.
Neely added, “We will be working on ways to add content and
pertinent information through the Facebook page, as well as
our corporate web page, collegerodeo.com.”
Facebook, which was initially started by Harvard college
students, has become one of the world’s largest social
networking websites in a short amount of time.
According to Wikipedia.com, Facebook, “The website's name
stems from the colloquial name of books given at the start
of the academic year by university administrations with the
intention of helping students get to know each other
better.” Wikipedia also said that Facebook has been banned
at many places of work to discourage employees from wasting
time using the service. The NIRA, however would like to
encourage all to visit their new page.
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September, 2009
USTRC and College Rodeo join
forces
Walla Walla,
WA – The National
Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and the United States Team
Roping Championships (USTRC) have joined forces in typical
team roping “partnership” fashion. The partnership will
involve supporting the memberships of both organizations.
USTRC will award Regional Finals Shoot-Out positions/$1,000
in USTRC Flex Earnings to the top three headers and heelers
in the final season standings in all eleven NIRA regions.
They will also award a National Finals Shoot-Out
position/$3,000 in USTRC Flex Earnings to the top three
teams in the team roping event at the College National
Finals Rodeo. The only stipulation for the awards will be
that the roper will need to be a member of the USTRC prior
to the conclusion of their respective regional rodeo season
and the CNFR.
“This is a great opportunity for college rodeo’s top team
ropers. Team roping is an event that can be enjoyed for
years. It’s like golf for cowboys; and I thank the USTRC for
offering their support to college rodeo,” said NIRA
Commissioner, Roger Walters.
The USTRC was formed in 1990 to promote team roping as a
sport and to develop a national team roping championship.
Since that date the organization has experienced exponential
growth and now plays host to over 35,000 members, and pays
out over $30 million a year in cash and prizes.
Kirk Bray, USTRC President said, “We are very pleased to be
affiliated with the NIRA. We like nothing better than
supporting the collegiate roper and an association as solid
as the NIRA. USTRC is looking forward to this being a long
and productive relationship.”
Marketing Director, John Findlay, added, “It’s about time we
hooked up with the NIRA. It’s a natural affiliation and
should have been put together years ago. Not only does the
NIRA have lots of ropers we can offer Shoot-Out positions
to; but we all know what rough stock riders do after they
hang up their riggin’s.”
To become a member please contact the USTRC office at (254)
968-0002, and for more info visit www.ustrc.com.
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August, 20099
COLLEGE NATIONAL FINALS
RODEO NOMINATED FOR NATIONWIDE AWARD
CNFR Asks Fans
to Vote Online to Bring Award Home to Casper, WY
Casper, WY
– The official ballot for the
2009 SportsTravel Awards was announced last night in Los
Angeles, CA and the 2009 College National Finals Rodeo held
in Casper, Wyoming was nominated as the Best Multi-Sport or
Multi-Discipline Event at the Collegiate Level. The CNFR is
asking its fans to vote online by visiting http://vote.schneiderpublishing.com/ballot,
cast their votes, fill out the e-mail information, and then
click "submit". The voting is now open and the deadline for
voting is Monday, September 14, at 5:00 p.m. PDT.
“What an honor to be nominated for this award,” said Roger
Walters, Commissioner of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association. “It is nice to see the CNFR, the City of
Casper, and the State of Wyoming, recognized for their
outstanding efforts in producing one of the world’s greatest
rodeos.”
The 2009 College National Finals Rodeo marked the 11th year
for this tremendous event in Casper, WY. This year’s CNFR
welcomed 363 participants from 87 colleges and universities,
representing 33 states and four Canadian provinces. The CNFR
proves to be one of the signature events for the state of
Wyoming each year. The 2009 event recorded a 15 percent jump
in ticket sales from the previous year as nearly 19,000 fans
flocked to the Casper Events Center for the competition.
The CNFR shares the ballot with five other collegiate events
that took place this year throughout the country. They
include: the Drake Relays in Des Moines, IA; the NAIA Indoor
Track and Field Championships in Johnson City, TN; the NCAA
Division II Winter National Championships Festival in
Houston, TX; the NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in
Buffalo, NY and the STIHL TimberSports Collegiate Challenge
in Columbus, GA.
The SportsTravel Awards will be presented at the TEAMS 2009
Conference & Expo, October 13–17, in New Orleans, LA.
CONTACT:
Aaron McCreight, CEO
Casper Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
(307) 234-5362
aaron@casperwyoming.info
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August, 2009
COLLEGE
RODEO ON NATIONAL TELEVISION
Walla Walla, WA – College
Rodeo will be in the television spotlight this August. The
best action from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association’s premiere event, the College National Finals
Rodeo, will be featured on ESPN U.
The
college rodeo action begins airing on Friday, August 14th at
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
ESPN U will be airing two hours of collegiate rodeo
competition from the 2009 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.
Hosting the ESPN U College Rodeo series are Boyd Polhamus
and Bob Tallman, with Angie Burton interviewing the
contestants on the arena floor. The Wyoming Division of
Tourism is the presenting sponsor, with fellow supporters;
Wrangler, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Professional Rodeo
Cowboys Association, Red Wing/Pecos Boots, DodgeRodeo, the
Casper Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the
ProEquine Group, including Cactus Ropes, Cactus Saddles,
Fastback Ropes, and ProEquine.
College National Finals Rodeo on ESPNU
Show #1 - Premieres
Friday, August 14th 7:00 p.m. ET
Show #2 - Premieres
Friday, August 14th 8:00 p.m. ET
Additional airings of each show will air throughout the
month of August.
Show #1 – Re-Air
Friday, August 14th 12:00 a.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Friday, August 14th 1:00 a.m. ET
Show #1 – Re-Air
Saturday, August 15th 12:00 p.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Saturday, August 15th 1:00 p.m. ET
Show #1 – Re-Air
Monday, August 17, 2:00 p.m. ET
Show #2 – Re-Air
Monday, August 17, 3:00 p.m. ET
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August, 2009
ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN HONORS ANNOUNCED
Walla Walla,
WA –
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association is pleased to
announce the 2009 Academic All-American recipients. The
honor is bestowed on NIRA members that have a 3.5 cumulative
grade point average and qualified for the 2009 College
National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. This year over 40
contestants received the honor. They are as follows:
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Amy
Adametz |
Missouri Valley College |
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Katie Kimble |
Missouri Valley College |
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Kallie Agre |
Missouri Valley College |
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Riley Knoll |
Central Wyoming College |
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Jeff Askey |
University of Tennessee-Martin |
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Aaron Lide |
Texas A&M University |
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Hilary Bair |
Utah Valley University |
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Jessica Lott |
Stephen F Austin State University |
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Cami Bauer |
South Dakota State University |
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Jake Mitchell |
West Texas A&M University |
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Bliss Bidwell |
Feather River College |
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Sarah Mulholland |
University of Wyoming |
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Bart Brunson |
University of Arkansas-Monticello |
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Haley Nida |
Northwestern Okla. State Univ. |
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Jacob Buller |
Central Wyoming College |
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Cynda Norell |
Tarleton State University |
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Tanaye Carroll |
University of Wyoming |
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Amy
Outhier |
Southwestern Okla. State Univ. |
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Lauren Cox |
Texas A&M Universityrsity |
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PJ
Painter |
Black Hills State University |
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Will Crain |
Missouri Valley College |
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Kirsty Robinson |
Montana State Univ.-Northern |
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Luke Creasy |
Western Texas College |
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Cody Samora |
Howard County Community Col |
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Devyn Dennison |
New
Mexico Highlands University |
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Whitney Sprunk |
South Dakota State University |
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Lara DeWees |
McNeese State University |
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Nikki Steffes |
University of Wyoming |
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Clay Elkins |
Mesalands Community College |
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Cassie Vierstra |
South Plains College |
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Donnie Frazee |
Mesalands Community College |
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Rodee Walraven |
New
Mexico State University |
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Shaylee French |
University of Montana, Western |
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Dana Weiser |
South Plains College |
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Morgan Grant |
Sam
Houston State University |
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Logan Westcott |
Northland Pioneer College |
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Clinton Groff |
Northland Pioneer College |
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Wacey Westcott |
Northland Pioneer College |
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Marvin Heesacker |
Black Hills State University |
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Stetson Wilson |
University of Montana, Western |
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Rachelle Holt |
Oklahoma State University |
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Kristin Woods |
Central Arizona College |
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Brooke Inlow |
Northwestern Okla. State Univ. |
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Sarah Zybach |
New
Mexico Highlands University |
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Rule Book Book
The NIRA 2009-2010 Rule Book
is now available online.
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The NIRA national headquarters is
located in Walla Walla, Washington.
For more information on college rodeo please feel free to
contact our office at (509) 529-4402.
Or e-mail us at:
info@collegerodeo.com.
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