No! Any student enrolled at Sul Ross State University may be a member of the rodeo club. The club offers more than just practicing for rodeos; they fund dances, ropings, and participate in events throughout the community.
Team members are chosen prior to each rodeo but must be a NIRA member. Each participant is evaluated by the coach on practice and rodeo performance. The rodeo coach makes decisions on each team member. Teams are picked per rodeo, so if you don’t make the team for one rodeo, you still have opportunities to compete.
Yes. Sul Ross currently has a large number of students competing in college rodeo. Only six men and four women are on the respective teams, and the others compete as individuals at each of the college rodeos.
Yes, many participants qualify for the CNFR that have not made the team; individual points qualify the competitor. The CNFR takes the top three individuals in each event to the CNFR.
No. NIRA members have the option of competing in all junior and amateur associations. NIRA members who desire to compete in PRCA-approved rodeos may also do so without jeopardizing their college rodeo eligibility. The only participation restriction is that any team member or rodeo participant who is awarded a scholarship must attend all NIRA rodeos or possibly forfeit his/her scholarship.
The NIRA has strict rules about grades. Visit with Coach Aragon about or visit www.collegerodeo.com.
According to the Sul Ross State University absence policy there are explained absences to attend NIRA sanctioned rodeos. The NIRA rodeo trips fall under this explained status. The student is expected to arrange to make up missed work. Explained absences are not given for other rodeo trips, and additional absences should be prearranged between the student and professor.
The rodeo program has a limited number of horse stalls available on campus. Stalls are usually awarded with rodeo scholarships. Students not awarded stalls can find boarding facilities located throughout Alpine. It is the student’s responsibility to find his or her own stalls.
Each contestant is responsible for their own travel and accommodations. Several friends will often travel together, and some will often travel with the rodeo coach.