Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team coach Dustin Elliott will be inducted into the Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Elliott is one of eight former CSC athletes chosen for the prestigious honor. The ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 27 in the CSC Student Center.
“It’s just kind of humbling,” Elliott said of the recognition. “It’s a real honor to know my name is going to be enshrined in a place I truly enjoyed.”
Alex Helmbrecht, co-chair of the Hall of Fame committee, said Elliott’s selection was a unanimous decision among committee members.
“Dustin excelled as a bull rider for CSC, and he brought notoriety to the college and its rodeo program while he was a student,” said Helmbrecht. “Dustin has continued to honor Chadron State College as a professional, and the committee is eager to formally recognize him during the ceremony.”
Dustin Elliott rides a bull for Chadron State College. Elliott, currently a rough stock coach for Mid-Plains Community College, will be inducted into the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame in October. – CSC photos
Elliott and fellow inductee Will Farrell won three out of four national bull riding titles for CSC during the time they were in college. Farrell was the champion in 1999 and 2002, and Elliott took home top honors in 2001.
Elliott’s history with rodeo, however, began long before he entered the collegiate arena.
His father was a formidable competitor in both rough stock and timed events at amateur rodeos. When Elliott stumbled across his dad’s gear bag at age 10, it fueled a passion that would eventually make him a household name.
Elliott began riding calves when he was in fifth grade, advanced to steers and then to bulls upon entering high school rodeos.
He earned a scholarship to CSC after becoming the Oregon High School Rodeo Finals bull riding champion in 1999.
While at Chadron, Elliott qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo three times. He won as a sophomore after riding all four of the bulls he drew.
Elliott turned pro while still in college then went on to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo four times and the Professional Bull Riders World Finals five times. He made it to both finals in 2010 – a rare accomplishment in the sport of professional rodeo.
His greatest achievement came in 2004 when he won the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Championship. He finished fourth in the national standings each of the next two years and spent four years on the PBR’s Top 15 list.
Dustin Elliott – CSC photos
Today, Elliott tries to give back to the industry that did so much for him. He currently resides at North Platte with his wife Cynthia and their twins Ethan and Emma.
When not working on the family ranch or conducting bull riding clinics across the country, he can be found coaching up-and-coming athletes on the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team.
His list of protégés includes former Great Plains Region bull riding champs Tyler Viers, Trey Engel and Garrett Wickett as well as regional bareback champion Rowdy Moon.
