Tarleton inducts Anderson, Diaz, Fambro family into Rodeo Hall of Fame

2017 Tarleton Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees

2017 Tarleton Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 17, 2017

STEPHENVILLE, Texas—Tarleton State University’s Rodeo Hall of Fame welcomed two new individual members and a family as inductees during its eighth annual steak dinner and auction Saturday, Nov. 11, in Stephenville.

Inductees forming this year’s class of Tarleton Rodeo Hall of Famers are Robert Anderson, Isaac Diaz and the Fambro family.

Each honoree was presented with a bronze Rodeo Hall of Fame medallion by Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio and head rodeo coach Mark Eakin.

Held at City Hall at City Limits, the annual steak dinner and live and silent auctions benefits Tarleton Rodeo Program’s scholarship fund. This year’s auctions garnered approximately $17,000.

About this year’s Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees:

Robert Anderson: The winning tradition of Tarleton’s rodeo team lured Robert Anderson to the university to compete while advancing his education. A bull rider who won the event’s average in the 1970 College National Finals Rodeo, Anderson received scholarships offered by local business leaders including veterinarian Dr. Ken Dorris, area rancher Joe Fambro and Red Cook.

Maintaining his passion for the university team, Anderson helped create the Tarleton Rodeo Alumni Chapter where he serves as president.

Isaac Diaz: A member of Tarleton’s 2010 CNFR team, Diaz won that season’s saddle bronc riding title. After leaving Tarleton, he continued his professional career in rodeo with five Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications along with an Elite Rodeo Association bid. He claimed first-place finishes at 10 stops during 2017 and was co-champion at two more.

When not on the rodeo circuit with wife Britany, a WNFR barrel-racing qualifier, he raises horses at their home in Desdemona.

The Fambro Family: Starting with the establishment of a scholarship in 1989, members of the Fambro family have been avid supporters of the Tarleton Rodeo program for nearly 30 years. The family’s contributions have benefited generations of students and the Tarleton Rodeo program as a whole.

R.L. “Tuffy” Fambro initiated a Rodeo and Agriculture Scholarship to honor his parents, Alex Price and Ruby Fambro, who were ranchers in Erath and Stephens counties.

In 2002, the family and friends began the Memorial Rodeo Scholarship in honor of R.L.’s brother, Joe Price Fambro. Joe and his wife, Chitchi, helped build the college rodeo practice facilities and supported past coach Bob Doty in many capacities.

Competing for the purple and white under the motto, “A Winning Tradition,” Tarleton’s rodeo teams have won seven national championship titles, 26 individual national championships and numerous NIRA (National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association) Southwest Region titles since the program was established in 1947.

Tarleton currently boasts one of the largest collegiate rodeo teams in the nation with more than 100 card-holding student members.

To nominate individuals for future inclusion into the Tarleton Rodeo Hall of Fame, visit www.tarleton.edu/rodeo/hall-of-fame.html.

Tarleton, celebrating 100 years as founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. As a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) with campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, leadership, excellence and service.

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Contact: Mark Eakin, Head Rodeo Coach
254-968-9187
[email protected]

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of nearly 17,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. True to Tarleton’s values of excellence, integrity and respect, academic programs emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
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