By Sharon Adams
“We wanted to reward college contestants who do well, encourage them to continue their education, and give past college rodeo folks an easy way to reconnect with college rodeo. That was the reasoning behind the Rookie Event Scholarships going to the first time CNFR contestant with the highest number of points in each event,” said Butch Bratsky of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni. “We succeeded beyond our expectations. Now we need to continue this tradition in the future.”
Winners of the Event Rookie Scholarship Awards of $500 each are listed under the photos at right.
The NIRA Alumni were proud to give those scholarships for the first time. The money for those scholarships came from former college contestants and folks who love rodeo and education.
Fourth Place Men’s Team Scholarship went to the College of Southern Idaho, and coach Steve Birnie. The Fourth Place Women’s Team came from Central Arizona College and were coached by Joe Moody.
This was also the first year that the Alumni and the Harter family presented the Stan Harter Memorial Scholarship which was awarded to Ava Rankin of Miles City Community College in Montana.
Thank you to donors C. W. Adams, Merrill Adams-Ellis, Ken and Sharon Adams, Jerry Beagley, Paula Best, John Birnie, Butch Bratsky, Larry Burgess, Jennifer Cerfogli, Charles Chambers, Dick Claycomb, Mary Fuller, Debbie Garrison, J.A. Hammonds, Dan Harter and the Harter family, Evelyn Bruce Kingsbery, Ned Londo, Jim Moore, Del Nose, Elizabeth Posey, Don Reichert, Lisa Sheffer, Bob Schild, Harlan Schott, James Ward, Crill Watson, Doug Wilson, Clara and Fred Wilson, Don Workman, and J.D. Yates.
top photo: Woman Rookie of the Year award: From left, John Smith, Danyelle Williams, Buzz Lockwood (Pro Equine rep), Butch Bratsky, Steve Birnie
second from top: Man Rookie of the Year award goes to Rusty Wright, second from left – Hubbell Photography