FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How can I get on the TSU Rodeo Team?
Rodeo is an open sport at Tarleton. As long as you pay your dues, maintain hours, grade point average and follow team rules you can be a part of the team. Everyone can enter the collegiate rodeo as long as they keep eligible, the team will consist of 6 men and 4 women, which is determined by points accumulated after the first two rodeos. Those not on the team will keep their individual points, but they will not count for team points that week. After each rodeo, the team may change to reflect the total number of points each individual has accumulated. The only advantage to being on the team is team members receive travel money. Tarleton has over 100 members competing in the 2008-2009 season.
2. What are hour requirements and grade point average requirements?
You must be enrolled in 12 academic hours per semester. This would not include PE Activity Courses (unless you are an Exercise and Sports Studies major) or the ANSC 120 Rodeo Production and Skills class. You must COMPLETE 12 hours per semester and pass at least 9 hours. You must have an accumulative GPA of 2.00 or 2.00 from the previous long semester. You must PASS 24 hours per year. If you drop below 12 hours in a long semester, you cannot rodeo or you cannot rodeo the next semester. See NIRA rulebook at www.collegerodeo.com for complete rules.
3. What happens if I don't meet academic requirements?
The first and foremost reason for attending Tarleton is to receive a college degree. If you do not meet hour or GPA requirements you will lose your privilege to rodeo, privilege to practice at Tarleton, and scholarship.
4. How do I get started?
Contact the rodeo office with your intentions to rodeo. Incoming freshman must attend Tarleton Orientation during the summer. You are encouraged to attend the earliest possible orientation so you can get a good class schedule. During the orientation there will be a meeting for those interested in participating in rodeo. Attend that meeting.
There will be a general meeting on the first Monday night of classes each year to get memberships. Some things you will need will be a money order for $255.00* to NIRA for national dues, *(this increases almost every year, so contact the office in August for the exact amount), $45 for Tarleton dues, $25 for Southwest Region dues, and $65 for a Tarleton vest.
You will also need to supply the rodeo office with official transcripts of high school work with your date of graduation and any college transcripts where you have hours, even dual credit hours taken while in high school. If you are under the age of 21, you will need a fax number to fax a membership form to your parents or guardian for a release signature.
Failure to supply any and all of these things may delay you competing in rodeos.
5. Where are the rodeos and how are they run?
The rodeos are held at 10 schools across the Southwest Region of the NIRA which are Eastern New Mexico University, Sul Ross State University, Vernon College, Texas Tech, Odessa College, Howard College, Western Texas and Tarleton. Weatherford College and Ranger College combine on their rodeos as well as does West Texas A&M, Frank Phillips College and Clarendon College.
The format is one long go round, and a short go round which features the top ten in each event. The average numbers entered in each of the events for 2006-07 were as follows: bareback 19, saddle bronc 34, bull riding 50, tie-down roping 95, team Roping 84, steer wrestling 50, goat tying 55, breakaway roping 86, and barrel racing 95. The entry fees are $40/event with a $15 per rodeo office charge. The rodeos pay 4 in rounds and average.
Generally, we have 4 rodeos in the fall and 6 in the spring, but may change from year to year. The rodeos begin on Thursdays and end on Saturday nights.
Stock Contractors for 2007-08 were TNT (Mitch Terrell), Todd and Will Cook, and Jim Kenney.
6. Are their scholarships for rodeo and how do I receive one?
There are rodeo scholarships available and the best way to receive one is to have the ability to do college level education work and win. The coaches and commitee will look at what you have won, your SAT or ACT scores and grades to determine scholarships. Scholarships may vary from $500 per year to $7,000 per year. Students who are attending Tarleton who are not receiving scholarships or smaller scholarships will be considered first for new scholarships. Community college transfers and high school graduates with outstanding records will then be considered. (Collegite Regional Champions, National Champions, etc.)
You must do the general scholarship application which you can complete online with the essay, checking rodeo scholarship.It is also good to send resume to the rodeo office.
Scholarships will be award in June of each year.
7. Will I be excused from class to attend the college rodeos?
This is the instructors call. Instructors will be contacted infomring them that you will be participating in college rodeos, but each one can have different attendance policies. It is the rodeo student’s responsibility to check this on the first day of class and make changes if necessary. Students need to keep teachers informed well in advance of planning to be absent.
8. Where can I keep my horse or horses, trailer?
The university has a practice arena with 36 stalls, which are available as scholarships to students. There is room to keep trailers at the arena. Students need home owners, trailer, or renters insurance to cover vehicles, saddles and tack. There are many places with arenas in the community to board horses. Cost varies from $35 to $100, with no feed or hay provided. Some furnish morning feedings.
9. Does the rodeo team travel together to the rodeos?
Each student contestant is responsible for his or her own travel and accommodations. However many students travel together to help save on expenses.
All students must attend a Safe Driving Seminar before attending their first rodeo.
10. What happens if I am hurt during rodeo competition?
Tarleton State University has no insurance on the rodeo team members and is not liable for any injuries. Students should know the risk of rodeo and traveling. Membership in the NIRA includes a secondary insurance policy for travel to intercollegiate rodeos, practice, and participation in approved rodeo. It will pay up to 80% of cost left after as student’s insurance has paid, but there is a deductible.
All students must have a primary insurance carrier.
11. What about practice?
Practice is available for NIRA members at the Tarleton practice facilities. Practice is 3-4 times per week for calf roping and breakaway roping, and 2-3 times for team roping, steer wrestling. Goat tying is usually held daily. Bulls, bares, and bronc are practiced Monday and Wednesday afternoon. The arena is open for riding and barrels at various times. There are 3 arenas so many events are worked at one time.
There is a set time to practice each event and will be followed.
Students must have primary insurance to practice and compete.
Students are expected to care for Tarleton equipment and livestock. Any rough or inhumane treatment to livestock, equipment or facilities can call for fines or disciplinary actions.
If student is not eligible to compete in NIRA rodeos then he cannot practice with team.
12. How do you qualify for the CNFR?
The top 3 individuals from each region qualify for the CNFR and the top two in the all-around. Also the top two teams qualify. Men’s team consists of 6 and women, 4.
Teams are filled with individuals in top 3 first, and then if spots are available, they are filled with the individuals with the most total points for our team.
13. What are other requirements?
Students must attend the once a month team meetings or be fined $50.
*Wednesday nights@9:00
Students must attend a meeting at 2:00 pm on Wednesday before NIRA rodeo to prepare for rodeo. Students must work one performance and slack or rodeo or pay a $50 fine.
Students are required to participate in one fund raiser or be fined $200.
Students are required to participate in one “clean up” afternoon at the facilities per semester or pay $50 fine.
Scholarship students who miss all or part of college rodeo due to participation in other rodeo event will be fined 10% of scholarship. (Starting with new students in 2007)
Students will sell at least one advertisement or sponsorship to NIRA rodeo or be fined $75
All fines must be paid before 2 hours of draw out time of next rodeo.
14. Where can I find out more about the NIRA?
Go to the website at www.collegerodeo.com
For your information—
If you are a new freshman you must furnish THEA scores or exemptions.
If you are a transfer you must have made a C or better in math, English and reading intense course or take the assessment exams-ASSET, COMPASS, or ACCUPLACER or THEA
