by Merrill Ellis
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc. Board Members (NIRA Alumni) are pleased to announce that they will award $30,000 in scholarships to collegiate rodeo athletes at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in 2019.
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. focuses on ensuring that students from across the nation participating in college rodeos have the opportunity to succeed in their pursuit of higher education.
“All of our board members competed in college rodeos and the CNFR. This is a bold step that reflects our founding principals of honoring the accomplishments of collegiate contestants,” stated Butch Bratsky, NIRA Alumni, Inc. President.
As of December 14, 2018, the NIRA Alumni, Inc. had received $15,000 in contributions from NIRA Alumni for the $30,000 in scholarship awards.
To contribute to the NIRA Alumni, Inc. Scholarship Fund, one can go online and pay with a credit card https://www.fundraise.com/niraascholarshipfund or send a check to: NIRA Alumni, Inc. 3211 Elys Path San Antonio, Texas 78230. For additional information, email niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091.
NIRA Alumni, Inc. membership and scholarship contributions are the cornerstones of being a NIRA Alumni, Inc. member. The group is a 501 (c) (3) organization.
This $30,000 initiative will recognize student scholarships in the following categories: $1,000 to the 4th place men’s team and $500 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. Two $500 hardship scholarships will be awarded as well to deserving students.
“To date, this is our largest scholarship contribution in the 27 year history of the NIRA Alumni, Inc. We fell that talent deserves opportunity.” stated Bratsky.
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. board also decided that if a student wins a scholarship and has graduated, then the student’s school will be eligible to receive the scholarship. However, the school and/or rodeo coach must be a member of the NIRA Alumni, Inc. in 2019. The $30,000 educational support was decided upon at the NIRA Alumni, Inc. Summer Board Meeting which was held at the Ramkota Conference Center in Casper, Wyoming June 14.
In June 2018, the alumni awarded $11,500 at the 70th Annual CNFR in Casper.
“We are excited to support students and ensure they have a positive collegiate rodeo experience,” concluded Bratsky.
To join NIRAA, go to:
www.fundraise.com/niraalumnimembership
or visit our website for an application with check mailing instructions:
www.collegerodeo.com/resources/alumni/
