by Cory Ferguson
If you rodeoed in college, it was probably one of the most enjoyable times of your life. I know it was for me. That is why I feel compelled to continue to support the NIRA and all that it stands for. The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc is a great opportunity to maintain and renew your ties with college rodeo. If you are already a member of the NIRAA, it is time to renew your membership in January 2019. If you are not a current member, you need to join now.
Joining is easy. Lifetime Memberships are $500 per person, individual membership are $35 and you and your spouse can join for $50 per year. By joining, it enables the 28 year old organization to continue contributing scholarships to NIRA students. The NIRA Alumni, Inc. membership includes a subscription to RODEO NEWS. To join the group with a credit card, go to https://www.fundraise.com/niraalumnimembership or send a check to NIRA Alumni, Inc. 3211 Elys Path San Antonio, Texas 78230. Go to http://www.collegerodeo.com/resources/alumni/ for membership application form, reunion schedule, and other NIRA Alumni, Inc. information.
The NIRAA, Inc. is dedicated to preserving the history of college rodeo, promoting college rodeo, hosting an annual reunion to honor past champions and contestants, and awarding scholarships to current National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association athletes. Membership and scholarship contributions are the cornerstones of being a NIRAA, Inc. member. The group is a 501 (c) (3) organization.
The first NIRAA reunion was held in 1992 at the College National Finals Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana. They announced that they would award a $500 scholarship annually to each of the Rookies of the Year.Recently, the group awarded $11,500 at the 70th Annual College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming and made a commitment of $30,000 to be awarded to NIRA finals participants in 2019. Supporters of the NIRAA, Inc. Scholarship program are listed in the CNFR program, posted on Facebook, listed on Instagram, and on the NIRA Alumni, Inc. web site.
What a great opportunity to help support students who are pursuing a college education. If it weren’t for scholarships many intercollegiate rodeo athletes would not be able to achieve their college degrees. Scholarships provided me the means to continue to pursue my goals of continuing to rodeo and pursue a career as well. It is exciting to ensure that as many undergraduates, as possible, have a positive collegiate rodeo experience.
The NIRA was organized in 1949 with 28 member schools and has grown to 129 member schools in 11 regions. 400 collegiate cowboys and cowgirls compete at the College National Finals Rodeo every year in the middle of June at Casper, Wyoming. Next summer the CNFR is June 9-15, 2019
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc. will celebrate its 28th anniversary by honoring all the NIRA National Champions, Championship Teams, top finishers, Faculty and Student Presidents for the years ending in “9”: 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999, and 2009 at our Annual Reunion,Friday and Saturday, June 14-15 at the 2019 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming. Renewing friendships and having a lot of fun is part of the plan, too.
To contribute to the scholarship fund, you can go online and pay with a credit card at 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 or visit our Facebook Page titled National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc.
Cory is an NIRA Alumni, Inc. Board Member, the 1988 NIRA Champions Steer Wrestler, and he is currently the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo Event and Sponsorship Manager
