The Tarleton Rodeo Association has been a part of a winning tradition since 1947. Tarleton State teams have won 37 National Championship titles. Today, Tarleton State has one of the largest teams in the nation with 164 card holding student members in 2022-2023.
The rodeo program operates under the Office of Rodeo Activities and is part of the Student Engagement and Success Division. The rodeo program is greatly supported by Dr. James Hurley – President of Tarleton State University, Division of Student Engagement and Success, Tarleton alumni, and the great people and companies of the Stephenville area.
Mr. Mark Eakin serves as the director of Rodeo Activities and head coach. Eakin graduated from Tarleton State in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Before returning to Tarleton as the head coach, Eakin received his Master of Science degree from West Texas A&M and led the rodeo team to numerous National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association championship titles. Full time staff include- Assistant Coach Brittany Stewart, Dylon Henson-Arena Coordinator, Tyler Frank-Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Hadley Kibbe-Marketing and Event Coordinator.