courtesy of Don Reichert
The 30th Reunion Celebration of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni (NIRAA) will be at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Casper, Wyoming, Thursday and Friday, June 17 and 18, 2022.
The reunion is held in conjunction with the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) at the Ford Wyoming Center. College rodeo athletes from 11 regions will be competing for team and individual national championships on June 12-18, 2022.
The NIRAA will honor all past NIRA national champions, championship teams, top finishers, queens, coaches, and faculty and student presidents at the reunion on Friday, June 18. Those honored are asked to bring photos and memorabilia to display at the reunion. A noon luncheon will feature speaker Wally Badgett, 1971 NIRA Champion Bull Rider, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association National Finals qualifier, and the syndicated cartoonist of a character named “Earl.” Reservations for the Friday reunion and luncheon ($25) need to be made by June 6 at niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091. During the CNFR performance Friday, honorees from years ending in “2” will be introduced in the arena. All other honorees will be asked to stand and be recognized.
Honorees and alumni are invited to attend the NIRA Foundation Luncheon Cinch Style Show and Auction at the Ramkota Hotel Saturday, June 19. Please email niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091 by May 20 if you plan to attend the Saturday Luncheon ($30).
Along with celebrating the 30th reunion, the NIRAA will award $36,500 in scholarships to collegiate rodeo athletes. Scholarships will recognize the 4th place men’s team with $1,500 and the women’s team with $1,000. $500 scholarships will be awarded to the rookies of the year in the following: all-around cowboy and cowgirl, seven men’s events, and the three women’s events. A $1,000 Stan Harter Memorial scholarship will be awarded. The NIRAA will award a $500 scholarship to each go round winner in seven men’s events and three women’s events at the CNFR, to the average winner of each of the 10 events, and to the all-around cowboy and cowgirl. Jerry Beagley will award a $1,000 scholarship to the top competitor competing in both riding and timed events.
Don Reichert, NIRAA President said, “I have a lot of great memories from my college rodeo days and of all the friendships that were formed. Being an NIRA Alumni member and attending the reunions brings back those memories and renews friendships with people I haven’t seen for years. The reunion also provides alumni an opportunity to support the scholarship program and give current college rodeo athletes financial support while they are earning a marketable degree.”
The NIRAA 2022 scholarship program still has some events in need of your contribution. To contribute, please send a check to: NIRAA, Inc. 3211 Elys Path, San Antonio, Texas 78230 or to pay with a credit card please follow this link:
www.fundraise.com/niraascholarshipfund
