LU ropes in rodeo team

Dirt kicks up around the arena, creating a dusty haze that only enhances the scene unfolding. The competitor and her horse easily clear the first barrel, making their way around the second and third before taking off towards the gate. The sound of the buzzer completes their run, and the crowd waits patiently for the next barrel racer to enter the arena. 

The Lamar University rodeo team will kick off their inaugural season Sept. 26 and 27 at Panola College in Tatum with competitors in barrel racing.  

“We want to be competitive with our current students,” Gene Theodori, faculty advisor and head rodeo coach, said. “In the ideal situation, both barrel racers we have and others who make it along the way will qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo. That will be held in June in Casper, Wyoming. So that’s what these kids do. They compete all year to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.” 

While the rodeo team does have a small number of members currently, Theodori said they do plan to work this season on growing membership and expanding the events they compete in.  

“We’re in the early stages of building this team,” he said. “We only have a couple students right now. But my hope and my plan is to really work this upcoming year to get the word out, publicize the fact that Lamar has formed a rodeo team and begin to recruit student athletes to come here to Lamar to compete.” 

Alongside publicizing the team, Theodori said he is also searching for sponsorships and donors. These funds will help create scholarships to attract students who rodeo.  

“We’ll be trying to attract students who currently compete at the Texas High School Rodeo Association,” he said. “There will be opportunities to recruit students from the junior colleges and two year schools who are currently competing. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I think we’re up for it.” 

Before the creation of LU’s rodeo team, he said rodeo athletes often had to go elsewhere to continue their career and education, often to McNeese due to proximity. 

“There’s a lot of rodeo talent here in Southeast Texas, and those kids had to go to other universities to work on their degree and to rodeo,” Theodori said. “Now, we’re giving them the opportunity to stay close to home and provide them a world class education here at Lamar University. Now, we don’t have to go across the river to McNeese.” 

Bringing rodeo to Lamar is not only for current rodeo athletes. He said they do have a club to help interested students learn about the sport. He also is working to provide ways for students to try out events and practice should they wish to compete. 

“We do have a student organization, the LU Rodeo Club, and they could come to the meetings and learn about rodeo,” Theodori said. “What I’m doing this semester is working with local stock contractors to set up some practice times, and we could get the kids who haven’t rodeoed to go and meet with the stock contractors and learn a little bit about what it takes to ride a bronc, what calf roping entails and all the other events.” 

While Beaumont and the Southeast Texas area does host pro rodeo events throughout the year, Theodori said college rodeo is worth the trip to see. 

“If you haven’t seen college rodeo, it’s a sight to see,” he said. “You have that competitive spirit, you have colleges and universities competing against each other for the title of champion at that rodeo. 

“It’s kind of like watching a pro football game versus a college football game. The atmosphere is a little different. If you’ve been to a professional rodeo and you haven’t seen college rodeo, come check it out.” 

The team’s closest rodeo is at Mcneese in Lake Charles, Louisiana , Oct. 24 and 25. To find the rodeo team’s full schedule and more information, visit lamar.edu/rodeo. 

UP photo by Rayna Christy

Written for publishing in the Lamar University Press on Sept. 24.