NSU restarts rodeo team

NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University has restarted its rodeo team after a hiatus of more than 20 years.

According to team advisor Professor of Educational Psychology Dr. Michelle Morris, alumni of the program reached out to the NSU administration last summer requesting the university sponsor a rodeo team again.

"We have received an outpouring of support from the local community offering resources to support our rodeo athletes," said Morris. "Rodeo alumni and the Natchitoches community rallied to restart the team. They called the university, connected with administrators and faculty and made Facebook posts to gain support. I've never seen such an outpouring of support and enthusiasm for bringing back a cherished sport to Northwestern."

NSU had a rodeo program from the early 1960s through the mid-90s supported by a student fee. Cuts to academic programs in agricultural sciences made it difficult to recruit students to participate.

Morris said the university has been helpful in restarting the team. She said NSU has provided financial support for recruitment and rodeo advising since the beginning of the fall semester. Students were gifted competition vests with NSU's logo to use while on the team. Student fees are available to support riders at the completion of paperwork.

The team has two members, barrel racers Karli English, an accounting major from Leesville, and McKenzie Davis, an accounting major from Pollock. English competed in four intercollegiate rodeos this semester and Davis competed in two. NSU is in the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. There are five rodeos each semester and the national finals in the summer.

Events for male rodeo athletes include saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie down roping, steer wrestling and team roping. Events for female rodeo athletes include barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying and team roping.

Morris said she is actively recruiting new team members. Current NSU students, incoming freshmen and transfer students who are ready to compete are welcome. For more information, contact Morris at [email protected]