Support The MSU Rodeo Team
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The Murray State University Rodeo Team was founded in 1976 and is a part of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Being a part of the MSU Rodeo Team allows students the opportunity to compete in rodeos while getting an education at Murray State University. The Rodeo Team is currently represented by 60 members from 14 states, and Coach J.D. Van Hooser.
As members of the team, students compete in 10 National Intercollegiate Rodeo’s throughout the Ozark region in effort to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming each June. Students travel nearly 500 miles away to compete at 9 rodeos each school year, and host one rodeo at Murray State University. The MSU Rodeo Team has hosted and competed in the annual Murray State Racer Roundup Intercollegiate Rodeo each year since 1976, and it is the oldest continuing rodeo in Kentucky.
The women’s team competes in barrel racing, goat tying, and breakaway roping; and the men’s team competes in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie down calf roping and steer wrestling. Team roping is the only event that is open to both the men’s and women’s team. Team members compete for individual titles as well as team titles at each rodeo. The Ozark region is a highly competitive region with more than ten colleges and universities represented at every rodeo. At the end of the season, only the top two point earning individuals from each event, and the top two point earning men’s and women’s team from the region will qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.
Throughout the years the MSU Rodeo Team has made tremendous achievements and has sent many members and teams to the College Finals. The opportunity of being a part of this team does not only bring us success in the arena, but in life as well. The MSU Rodeo Team members are no strangers to hard work and dedication. It takes every team member, coach, and supporters like you to keep this team running!
Unfortunately the sport of rodeo is not recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, so all of the funding for the team comes through fundraisers and donations. The biggest concern for the team is raising enough money to pay for the MSU Racer Roundup Rodeo, which costs around $30,000 to put on each year. This year the team did raise enough money to pay for the rodeo hosted in October of 2013. The team also raised ‘travel money’ to help students with expenses of traveling and entry fees. Student pay anywhere from $65 to $200 in entry fees each rodeo, depending on the number of events they compete in. They also have to pay for fuel to get to the rodeos, hotel rooms, food, and other traveling expenses. This season they were able to give out travel money for the fall rodeos, but currently do not have enough to give out travel money for the six spring rodeos. Getting to these rodeos can be a challenge, but each and every student on the MSU Rodeo Team is dedicated to the sport and the wellbeing of their animals. Some other expenses the team is facing this year include sholarship funding, purchasing new practice livestock, costs of keeping the livestock, purchasing new practice equipment, facilities upgrades and maintenance, and travel money to help those who qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.
The team has worked very hard to raise money, find sponsors, and take care of livestock and equipment but our race is not yet run. We need your help! Your donations and support is greatly needed and desperately desired. Thank you for taking the time to help support the Murray State University Rodeo Team. Go Racers!!
As members of the team, students compete in 10 National Intercollegiate Rodeo’s throughout the Ozark region in effort to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming each June. Students travel nearly 500 miles away to compete at 9 rodeos each school year, and host one rodeo at Murray State University. The MSU Rodeo Team has hosted and competed in the annual Murray State Racer Roundup Intercollegiate Rodeo each year since 1976, and it is the oldest continuing rodeo in Kentucky.
The women’s team competes in barrel racing, goat tying, and breakaway roping; and the men’s team competes in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie down calf roping and steer wrestling. Team roping is the only event that is open to both the men’s and women’s team. Team members compete for individual titles as well as team titles at each rodeo. The Ozark region is a highly competitive region with more than ten colleges and universities represented at every rodeo. At the end of the season, only the top two point earning individuals from each event, and the top two point earning men’s and women’s team from the region will qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.
Throughout the years the MSU Rodeo Team has made tremendous achievements and has sent many members and teams to the College Finals. The opportunity of being a part of this team does not only bring us success in the arena, but in life as well. The MSU Rodeo Team members are no strangers to hard work and dedication. It takes every team member, coach, and supporters like you to keep this team running!
Unfortunately the sport of rodeo is not recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, so all of the funding for the team comes through fundraisers and donations. The biggest concern for the team is raising enough money to pay for the MSU Racer Roundup Rodeo, which costs around $30,000 to put on each year. This year the team did raise enough money to pay for the rodeo hosted in October of 2013. The team also raised ‘travel money’ to help students with expenses of traveling and entry fees. Student pay anywhere from $65 to $200 in entry fees each rodeo, depending on the number of events they compete in. They also have to pay for fuel to get to the rodeos, hotel rooms, food, and other traveling expenses. This season they were able to give out travel money for the fall rodeos, but currently do not have enough to give out travel money for the six spring rodeos. Getting to these rodeos can be a challenge, but each and every student on the MSU Rodeo Team is dedicated to the sport and the wellbeing of their animals. Some other expenses the team is facing this year include sholarship funding, purchasing new practice livestock, costs of keeping the livestock, purchasing new practice equipment, facilities upgrades and maintenance, and travel money to help those who qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.
The team has worked very hard to raise money, find sponsors, and take care of livestock and equipment but our race is not yet run. We need your help! Your donations and support is greatly needed and desperately desired. Thank you for taking the time to help support the Murray State University Rodeo Team. Go Racers!!
Organizer
Candice Hill
Organizer
Murray, KY
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