HAYS — The thrills and excitement that is college rodeo comes back to the Doug Philip Arena as Fort Hays State University hosts its 47th annual National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Spring Rodeo from April 19-21, as 600 competitors try to stamp their ticket to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., later this year.
Fort Hays has four students in the running for nationals — Ty Rumford, Abbyville, senior, steer wrestling, team roping and all-around; Blair Jones, Monte Vista, Colo., senior, team roping and steer wrestling; Dakota Milner, Welda, senior, team roping; and Sam Tenpenny, Topeka, senior, goat tying.
The first performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19. The second performance is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.
A rodeo alumni and staff dinner will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the arena, with the third performance to follow at 7:30.
A cowboy church service, hosted by Dale Hirschman, will be at 10 a.m. Sunday at the arena. The event is sponsored by Larry Davisson, a 1974 FHSU alumni. The public is welcome to attend.
The final performance will follow at 1 p.m.
This will be the first time in about 30 years that the rodeo will take place without former Block and Bridle Club and Rodeo Club advisor Dr. Garry “Doc” Brower, who died in November 2012.
Brower’s legacy has continued to be an important part of rodeo at FHSU through the scholarship established in his honor that will be awarded on Saturday night during the third performance.
Tickets for each day are $8 in advance and $12 at the gate for adults, $5 in advance and $8 at the gate for ages 7 to 18, and free for children 6 and under and for FHSU students with a Tiger Card.
Tickets are available at the Student Service Center in the Memorial Union, Orscheln’s, 2900 Broadway, and Vanderbilt’s, 2900 Vine.