EBS STAFF
BOZEMAN – The 2016 Montana State University Spring Rodeo will run Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10 at Bozeman’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. This is the first event on the spring schedule for the Big Sky Region rodeo teams.
The action begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, with slack rounds coming after the performance rounds. On Friday, slack begins at noon, with the performance at 7 p.m. On Saturday, short-go action begins at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, slack gets underway at 8 a.m., with the matinee at 2 p.m.
The slack rounds are necessary so that every athlete has the opportunity to perform one of their three rides during primetime, in front of a large audience.
Spring Rodeo events include tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.
The Spring Rodeo will feature the MSU men’s and women’s teams – ranked 18th nationally and No. 1 in the Big Sky Region – competing against seven other regional schools: the University of Montana; UM Western; Great Falls College MSU; Miles Community College; Glendive Community College; MSU-Northern; and Northwest College from Powell, Wyo.
Bobcat Rodeo is one of the most storied programs in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Montana State Rodeo teams have claimed eight national team titles, 32 individual national championships, and many Big Sky Regional crowns.
The MSU Rodeo teams have also sent alumni on to success on the national stage. Most recently, 2013 graduate Ty Erickson from Helena was named Steer Wrestling champion Feb. 28 at the American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas. Erickson took home $100,000 for his winning effort.
The 2015-2016 MSU Rodeo team consists of 58 members – 38 from Montana – including 30 men and 28 women. The Bobcats are led by two MSU alumni, head coach Andy Bolich and assistant coach Beau Clark, and are supported by the C.A.T. Rodeo Scholarship Association and the MSU Chute Boss Club.
To purchase tickets for the 2016 Spring Rodeo, call (406) 994-CATS (2287), or visit brickbreeden.com/events/rodeo_2016. For more information on the event, visit the Montana State University Rodeo Facebook page or montana.edu/rodeo and click the “Spring Rodeo” link.
