 They 'Ride for the Brand' By Yantcy Jo Pinkston Locust Grove, Okla. |
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They 'Ride for the Brand' By Yantcy Jo Pinkston Locust Grove, Okla. |
| The Oklahoma State University Rodeo
Team’s much-anticipated dream of working practice facilities is now a
reality. In an effort to "Ride for the Brand," their new motto, the team members are now officially supported through funding from donors across the state. The team received $200,000 to help fund the facility and accepted it as an earned privilege. "These student athletes are OSU’s real cowboys and cowgirls," said Terry Hyman, OSU coordinator of freshman programs and volunteer rodeo coach. "They are reflective of the western heritage that represents this university’s founding and are certainly deserving of this opportunity." Sam Curl, dean and director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and Don Wagner, animal science department head, made available 27 acres at the corner of Western and Lakeview as the new site. The team conducted a groundbreaking ceremony March 3, 2000. More than 15 university officials, rodeo supporters and team officers used shovels to break ground for the new facility and kept their shovels as mementos. "On behalf of the entire Rodeo Association, I would like to extend our highest thanks to you for your belief in us and what we represent," said Jennifer Roberts Cunningham, 1999-2000 OSU Rodeo Team president. The OSU Rodeo Team, started in 1947, has not been a university scholarship-sponsored sport. Lou Watkins, chairwoman of the Board of Regents for Oklahoma A&M Colleges, said rodeo facilities were proposed years ago to the university, but no steps had been taken to complete the effort. However, in summer 1999, the dream was brought back to life. In an attempt to increase support of the team, Cunningham said she traveled and spoke to several prospective supporters, including the OSU and A&M Board of Regents, proposing aid in funding. To help begin the effort, OSU administrators challenged the team to raise $10,000 and said they would match it. The team held two fundraisers: Beauty and the Beast, a bull riding and barrel racing jackpot, and the Ride for the Brand auction. The team raised $16,000 and received $10,000 in matching funds. Along with this success, Cunningham’s effort helped convert an initial 9-0 Board of Regents vote in favor of the proposal. The Wes Watkins family along with Cunningham’s father, Ernie Roberts, aided the team in its struggle for support. Other regents, OSU faculty, community supporters, rodeo team members and Booster Club members met at Peaceable Acres, home of Lou Watkins, to share information about the proposal. "My family and I feel positive this is a good group of kids and are willing to help them in any way we can," said Sally Vielma, Booster Club member and daughter of Wes and Lou Watkins. Roberts attended every meeting concerning this issue and prepared a concept design of the facilities with several draftsmen from his company. He presented it to OSU administrators, and then OSU Physical Plant Services prepared a blueprint. Students, parents and Rodeo Booster Club members continued to donate their time in helping with the facility construction. "It will be the ‘sweat equity’ of the students and their contribution of time that will help bring these facilities to life," said Harry Birdwell, OSU vice president for business and external relations. The 2000-2001 OSU Rodeo Team President, Jennifer Link, is following Cunningham’s steps in the club to continue in this successful time. "I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated club in this project," Link said. "I believe I speak for everyone when I say that we appreciate this chance." Brad Bailey, president of the Rodeo Booster Club, said he is in contact with 300 former rodeo team members and feels certain they would be willing to provide rodeo stock and hay to support the program. In the last 54 years, the OSU Rodeo Team has maintained a reputation of greatness in intercollegiate competition. Competing and ranking among the best, OSU had three students, C.R. Bradley, Wade Hudspeth and Rosie Cooper, go to the Collegiate National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., last year, and two students went the year before. Dubbed the "Rose Bowl of college rodeo" and broadcast on ESPN, the CNFR awards more than $200,000 in scholarships. Among this reputation of greatness are former OSU Rodeo Team members, including former U.S. Congressman Clem McSpadden, former Dallas Cowboy Walt Garrison, prominent race horse trainer Gary Walker, and International Professional Rodeo Association World Champion Saddlebronc Rider Jet McCoy. Without facilities, OSU risked losing McCoy, 1999’s premier rodeo recruit in the nation, as a team member along with others such as an incoming freshman, J.R. Magdeburg, Cunningham said. Magdeburg, who said he was attracted by the academic opportunities at OSU, initially debated accepting rodeo scholarships from five other institutions. McCoy said he considered leaving OSU to join a college rodeo team in the Panhandle that is supplied with a facility and scholarship assets. Although Magdeburg joined the OSU Rodeo Team, McCoy left after one year, just before the funding for the facilities. He now attends Southwestern Oklahoma State University, in Weatherford, Okla. "Now with the facilities at OSU, my decision was easy," Magdeburg said. "I am able to have my choice in education and rodeo opportunity, all in one school." Of the Big 12 schools, eight have organized rodeo teams. OSU is a member of the Central Plains Region. This region includes 22 colleges stretching through Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri and has 339 rodeo members. OSU was, but no longer is, one of the few schools left without working facilities and university support. Facilities will consist of a 300 feet by 100 feet barn, an arena, chutes, holding pens, restrooms, a hard-surfaced road, electricity and water. The facilities are to be completed by summer 2001. As a follow-up, the OSU Foundation has created an endowed scholarship program designated for rodeo students. A full-time paid coach is a future goal of the rodeo team, as Hyman is not reimbursed for his traveling and coaching expenses. Team members have said they feel grateful for OSU’s demonstration of pride and support. "No longer will these dedicated, young athletes work to ‘Ride for the Brand,’ with absolutely no support from the brand," Roberts said. As a result of long hours, dedication, dreams and ability, OSU’s rodeo athletes will continue a winning tradition as they "Ride for the Brand."
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