Among all of the schools sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, only five managed to maintain top 15 rankings.
Although not as widespread as major sports such as football or baseball, college rodeo is alive and well in the United States. Sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), both men's and women's college rodeo teams compete in events around the country. These teams jockey for position in NIRA's national rankings, which are determined by points accumulated in events throughout the year. Although there are a number of successful teams ranked in NIRA's top 25, a few teams stood out in 2010 by maintaining top 15 rankings in both men's and women's competitions.
Walla Walla Community College
The Walla Walla Community College Warriors may have been the most successful team in 2010, earning a No. 3 ranking in the men's national standings and a No. 2 ranking in the women's. The Warriors also earned a men's NIRA national championship in 2008 and stand out as one of the most competitive schools in college rodeo.
Walla Walla Community College
500 Tausick Way
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509-522-2500
wwcc.edu
Gillette College
Located in Wyoming, the Gillette College Pronghorns finished with a top 10 NIRA ranking in both men's and women's rodeo in 2007. The Pronghorns earned a No. 10 ranking in the men's standings while finishing seventh in the women's rankings.
Gillette College
300 W. Sinclair
Gillette, WY 82718
307-686-0254
gillettecollege.org
South Dakota State University
One of the biggest schools to achieve success in college rodeo in 2010 was South Dakota State. As the biggest university in the state of South Dakota, the school has major athletic programs including football, baseball and basketball. Although the rodeo program is not as popular as the other sports, both the men's and the women's teams have achieved a great deal of success. The men finished No. 7 in the country by the NIRA, while the women finished 10th.
South Dakota State University
940 Administration Ln.
Brookings, SD 57007
800-952-3541
sdstate.edu
University of Western Montana
The University of Western Montana also saw successful seasons in both men's and women's rodeos. The Bulldogs two teams won a combined seven overall rodeo titles in during the 2009-2010 season and finished in the NIRA top 10. The men finished eighth, while the women were ninth.
The University of Montana Western
710 S. Atlantic St.
Dillon, MT 59725
406-683-733
umwestern.edu
Dickinson State
Dickinson State University was the fifth and final team to achieve a top 15 NIRA ranking in both men's and women's rodeo in 2010. A traditionally successful program, Dickinson State finished sixth overall in men's rodeo, while taking 11th in women's.
Dickinson State University
291 Campus Dr.
Dickinson, ND 58601
701-483-2507
dickinsonstate.edu
