story by Merrill Ellis
June 19 and 20 the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc. (NIRAA) will celebrate 29 years hosting a reunion and providing scholarships for college rodeo athletes. The annual reunion will take place during the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center.
NIRAA will honor all the NIRA national champions, championship teams, top finishers, queens, coaches, and faculty and student presidents for the years ending in “0”: 1950. 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010.
In addition, to celebrate 29 years, the NIRAA will award $35,000 in scholarships to collegiate rodeo athletes at the CNFR June 20.
This $35,000 initiative will recognize student scholarships in the following categories: $1,500 to the 4th place men’s team and $1,000 to the women’s team, $500 to the rookie of the year all around cowboy and cowgirl, $500 to all rookies of the year in seven men’s events and the three women’s events, and $1,000 to the Stan Harter Memorial winer. Furthermore, the group will award a $500 scholarship to each go round winner in seven men’s events and three women’s at the CNFR. Also, new in 2020 will be $500 scholarships to the average winner of each of the seven men’s events and three women’s as well.
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. 2020 scholarship campaign is in full swing. If you would like to contribute send a check: NIRAA, Inc. 3211 Elys Path San Antonio, Texas 78230. Or to contribute with a credit card please follow this link
https://www.fundraise.com/niraascholarshipfund
“For me, college rodeo created unforgettable memories and friendships. Becoming an NIRA Alumni, Inc. member and attending the annual reunion refreshes those memories and renews friendships. It also provides anyone associated with college rodeo an opportunity to support the scholarship program for student rodeo athletes or help obtain donors for the program. It is very rewarding to be able to give current college rodeo athletes financial support while they are earning a marketable degree in college,” explained Don Reichert, NIRAA President.
NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE RODEO ASSOCIATION ALUMNI TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL
REUNION SCHEDULE
FRIDAY JUNE 19 & SATURDAY JUNE 20, 2020
CASPER, WYOMING
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
9:00 A.M.-3:30 P.M. NIRA ALUMNI REUNION –
North and Central Ballrooms
Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center
3:30-5:00: Hospitality Suite
Informal gathering
7:00 P.M: CASPER EVENTS CENTER
CNFR PERFORMANCE
All special guests will be announced & honored in the arena.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
11:30: NIRA FOUNDATION LUNCH AND AUCTION
North and Central Ballrooms
Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center.
Awards, Entertainment, Silent and Live Auction.
7:00 P.M: CASPER EVENTS CENTER
Short-go of CNFR.
Contestant Award Ceremony in arena following rodeo.
HOTEL: RAMKOTA HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
800 N Poplar St. Casper, Wyoming 82601.
1-844-224-1315 1-307-266-6000
(To obtain a special rate of $96 per night plus taxes tell them you are with NIRA Alumni. The Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center is our new reunion headquarters.)
CNFR RODEO TICKETS: Casper Events Center:
1-800-442-2256 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST)
Tickets go on sale April 12th, 2020.
Ask for the Alumni section.
SATURDAY LUNCHEON: Advance Reservations required.
Please reserve tickets for the Sat lunch by May 25, 2020
via email niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091.
Tickets cost $30 per person, payable to the NIRAA.
For additional information, visit our Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/niraainfo/
To join the group, go to https://www.fundraise.com/niraalumnimembership or visit our website for an application with check mailing instructions
