by Merrill Ellis
As I was preparing this article for press time, the President of United States had extended the social distancing until April 30, 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. I am hopeful and prayerful that when you read this article in the May issue of Rodeo News the United States is starting to recover from this historical outbreak.
Several announcements have been made by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association during the months of March and April. Since, we are the NIRA Alumni, Inc., I thought it would be beneficial to share some of their news with you.
The College National Finals Rodeo were canceled for June 14-20, 2020 as of April 9, 2020. So, the NIRAA, Inc. 29th Annual Reunion was canceled as well that was to the place June 19-20 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center.
NIRAA, Inc. Scholarship Program
To celebrate 29 years, the NIRAA, Inc. was hoping to award $35,000 in scholarships to collegiate rodeo athletes at the CNFR June 20. Since the CNFR is not taking place, the alumni will contribute the same amount in 2021. The dates for the 2021 CNFR are June 13-19. Furthermore, the dates for the 29th Annual NIRA Alumni, Inc. Reunion will take place June 18 and 19 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Casper, WY.
“We still have some donor opportunities available if any alumni would like to contribute,” stated Corey Ferguson, NIRAA, Inc. Scholarship Chairman.
At presstime, the NIRA Alumni, Inc. 2021 scholarship campaign is still working to reach that $35,000 goal. 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
This $35,000 opportunity 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 would have been $500 scholarships to the average winner of each of the seven men’s events and three women’s as well. This will still be the case is in 2021.
NIRAA Announces an Additional Year of Eligibility to All Members
(Information was copied from the NIRA Website. The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association is happy to announce that all 2019-2020 members will have a void of their NIRA Membership year to the Covid-19. The specific rule adoption is as follows: Because of the limitations in competition as a result of the cancellation of numerous NIRA rodeos in 2020 due to the Coronavirus Disease, the NIRA membership of all NIRA student members who were eligible to compete during the 2019-2020 rodeo season shall be void effective July 1, 2020. NIRA student members whose membership was voided pursuant to this Rule shall have an additional year of eligibility, SUBJECT HOWEVER, to other eligibility rules set forth in the NIRA Rulebook for 2020-2021. This Rule is not intended to affect any other NIRA eligibility rules.
