by Shawna Graves, Office of Public Relations
Sul Ross State University Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (ANRS) and Rodeo Exes Alumni Association is coming to Alpine for its 43rd Annual 3-day scholarship fundraising event July 19-21.
“The entire weekend is open to the public,” Association Vice President Monte Snow said.
Events kick off Friday with a sporting clay shoot at the Dunshee Ranch from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is open to all shooters with awards going to the top three.
Later that evening, the Ole Crystal Bar, located at 410 E Holland Ave, hosts a horseless goat roping and social, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Happy hour pricing will extend all evening and an on-site food truck will be open for business.
Multiple roping and barrel racing events are scheduled for Saturday at the S.A.L.E. Arena, located at the Sul Ross College of ANRS on E Hwy 90, with books opening at 8 a.m. sharp.
Saturday evening Zach Edwards Band plays at the Alpine Civic Center, located at 801 West Holland Ave. The band is a blend of country, rock and Western swing, and tickets are $10.
Festivities conclude on Sunday with a Sul Ross Scholarship Golf Tournament at the Alpine Country Club on Loop Rd.
Proceeds from the activities fund scholarships to be split between all programs at the College of ANRS. Past years have provided between $18,000 and $40,000 in scholarship funds.
Exes are excited to see growth at the College of ANRS, where momentum is building with new programs and a robust rodeo team.
“The board is enthused with the direction the programs are going and the synergy across leadership, from new Dean Bonnie Warnock and Rodeo Coach CJ Aragon, as well as with University President Bill Kibler,” noted Snow.
“They recognize there is an opportunity through these programs for Sul Ross to be on a national stage,” he continued.
Members of the Exes often help behind the scenes, including at a recent volunteer weekend to repair rodeo infrastructure at the S.A.L.E. Arena, where Exes volunteers helped weld over 2000 feet of pipe and fencing.
Snow, Sul Ross alumnus 1994, received his B.S. in Industrial Technology with a minor in Range Animal Science, an Associate’s Degree in Ferrier Technology, and a secondary minor in Education.
“I was in the 6-year program,” he chuckled. But on a more serious note, the education and experiences from Sul Ross made a lasting impression that keeps him coming back.
Exes enjoy the reunion weekend as an opportunity to visit Alpine, make new friends and support their Alma Mater.
“It’s equally the programs, the idea of Sul Ross, the location of Alpine and the people of West Texas that keep us coming back,” Snow said.
For more information and tickets for the weekend’s events, visit the Exes Facebook page or website at sulrossexes.com.