College rodeo benefits wounded servicemen & women

College rodeo benefits wounded servicemen & women

September 25, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Eastern Oregon University will host the first National Intercollegiate Rodeo of the season Saturday, Oct. 6 in Union.

The rodeo begins at 4 p.m. (slack at 9 a.m.) at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show grounds. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased in advance or at the gate. Proceeds will benefit wounded servicemen and women through the nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project^TM.

EOU’s Rodeo Club will also hold a dinner and auction as part of the event to help raise funds for practice stock, facilities and travel for the team. Dinner tickets are available for $15 individually or $25 for two and may be purchased directly from club members, coaches or JoLyn Scott, club adviser, at 541-910-2323.

“We hope everyone will come out to support the student-athletes, honor our service members, meet the club members and coaches,” Scott said. “Thanks to our sponsors for making this all possible!”

EOU’s club is gaining momentum on the heels of a national appearance at the NIRA Finals in Casper, Wyo. last spring. Students Justin Jarvis competed in calf roping, Seth Shelton in bareback riding and Annie MacKenzie in breakaway roping.

“This year it looks like we will have another strong team,” Scott said. “Our program has grown as well as our support, making it possible to recruit more students to our university and team.”

The club is now offering fee remission scholarships to competing students in addition to the annual scholarship funded by Jim and Judy Lundy, of Cove. Jim is an avid supporter of college rodeo and a former dean of finance and administration at EOU.

Donors Jack and Patty Johnson, of Cove, have also established a one-time scholarship with the EOU Foundation and the recipient will be announced during the rodeo. The Foundation is sponsoring the event.

For more information contact Scott at 541-962-3810 or 541-910-2323.