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Rodeo has been a part of McNeese State University since 1947 when the first rodeo team was formed. The team was sponsored by the Horn and Hoof and Veterans clubs.
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The rodeo program at McNeese has performed so well that it makes it difficult for bigger schools like Texas A&M to recruit members. In fact, the spring 2009 issue of The Texas A&M Foundation Magazine, Spirit, described McNeese as a “regional rodeo powerhouse.”
Beau Schro
The tradition began in the 1950s with the McNeese men’s rodeo team winning three consecutive national championships from 1957 to 1959. Currently, the men’s team is in first place in the Southern Region’s team standings, while the women’s team is currently in second place in the region, its best standing in over five years, and is on track to finish first. In 2009-2010 the men’s team finished first in the Southern Region for the second year in a row, and Kobyn Williams finished in the top five at the College 8
Hope Thompson
National Finals Rodeo in saddle bronc riding. The winning tradition continues with the most recent championship won in 2008 by Hope Thompson for ladies breakaway roping. In 2007, three national champions were produced: Beau Schroeder in bull riding, Ben Shofner in steer wrestling and Lydia Martin in reserved breakaway. The men’s team took fifth in the nation that same year. Winning those championships requires dedication and hard work, qualities to which rodeo team members are accustomed. According to McNeese Rodeo Coach Justin Browning, team members usually put in 12- to 16-hour days. “They [students] get up early to feed their animals, go to class, go to work, practice and study. A usual day is from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” said Justin. The rodeo season consists of 10 rodeos. Traveling to each competition can be quite expensive. Entry fees and gas, lodging and animal feed expenses add up quickly. McNeese is able to provide travel assistance for the top six men and top four women on the team through a student assessment fee. That leaves some students to pay their own way, in addition to paying for common college expenses such as tuition, books, meals and housing. In 2000, business leaders Billy Navarre and William Doré Sr. learned that local students were attending college out-of-state where more financial assistance was provided for the rodeo program and its students. In an effort to stem this exodus, the Golden Saddle Club was formed to provide scholarships for McNeese rodeo students. The