The Educated Cowboy
By Amanda Brockman

The educated cowboy, two words that never seem to be put together often. But over 130 colleges say otherwise. Collegiate rodeo associations like NIRA (National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association) are the reason that most aspiring rodeo stars go to college. Thanks to scholarships from NHSRA (National High School Rodeo Association) and other high school rodeo associations, the college of their choice is turned into a reality. For PRCA cowboy Cord McCoy, college was his route before turning pro in the PRCA. Cord received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. While on the SWOK State rodeo team, he had finished 2nd in the CNFR.

Is it better to go to college before going pro on a rodeo circuit? George Howard, rodeo coach for the University of Wyoming seems to think so. "It gives them a better outlook. A lot of them major in business. It gives them good business skills. College sets the foundation as far as what they do in real life outside the big world." George Howard is the rodeo coach for the University of Wyoming. Mr. Howard has been a rodeo coach for UWY for 25 plus years, and he has many successes to back up his dedicated years. At the 2006 CNFR (College Nationals Finals Rodeo) held in Casper, Wyoming, UWY women's team finished 5th in the nation. In the steer wrestling division, UWY came out with a 5th place finish at the end of the finals. The 5th place finish was achieved from UWY Henry Hollenbeck. Hollenbeck made an impressive run during the 2nd go round with a 3.8 (seconds). But coming home from the finals with two top tens would not have done for the UWY rodeo team. They dominated the team-roping event as well. Finishing in 8th place for UWY were team ropers Clayton and Mark Morrison. The Morrison brothers made an impressive run during the 1st and 3rd go round with a 6.6 and a 7.4 (seconds). Last, but surely not least, is the goat-tying event. From the previous event results from UWY, I would surely expect a solid top 5 or top 10. But this is not the case; no UWY would have none of that. Instead they knocked all competition out of the park coming in 1st place in goat tying. The CNFR goat-tying champion is none other than Kayla Nelson. You can check out all of UWY impressive scores at the 2006 CNFR at www.collegerodeo.com. Clearly George Howard has a secret in being a rodeo coach that he's kept well.

Every NIRA rodeo team wants success stories for their college graduates. Typically you might have a majority be successful in pro rodeo, but not necessarily all of them. That statement soon will be proven wrong. When asked about his success stories J.D. Vanhooser (Murray State University rodeo coach) simply and proudly states, "All of our graduates are success stories." Vanhooser continues to say, "Their education is number 1. Rodeo is number 2. It's not taking away from the rodeo program. Do not miss the opportunity to get a good education. They will have education till the day they die. Rodeo may be part of their makeup, but they will always have education. You use all the tools at your disposal to do whatever you do. A college education is another tool. If you get hurt and can't rodeo, you have education to fall back on." Mr. Vanhooser is clearly and proudly one of the many people who help carry on the tradition of "The Educated Cowboy." Vanhooser clearly loves and is good at being a rodeo coach, but himself as well as many other rodeo coaches in the nation see the importance of a good education. They are not trying to take away from the importance of the great American rodeo, but are simply helping it build a brighter future by dispersing and campaigning for the "ËœEducated Cowboy."

But of course, what is an educated cowboy without public relation skills. Vanhooser couldn't agree more when asked if his rodeo team members are better prepared for the pros because they went to college rodeo first. "They are better prepared for life because of college rodeo. College rodeo gives them an opportunity, a chance to go practice rodeo, to step up competition. The experiences they get allow them exposure to certain business aspects. They learn to deal with people and public speaking. They learn how to sell themselves for sponsors. People have to be able to identify with you and like you. The people who have done well in pro rodeo: have gotten sponsors, are people persons, and have the quality to sell themselves. MSU rodeo team members generally take public speaking and other education wider than their major degree."

Just from reading Vanhooser's quote alone proves that the "Educated Cowboy" is no urban legend. It is no myth. It is stone hard, as bright as day, pure country true.

Webster's definition for the word "educated" is as follows: having an education; especially: having an education beyond the average .

When looking up the definition of "cowboy," I obtained the following from dictionary.com: n 1: a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback [syn: cowpuncher, puncher, cowman, cattleman, cowpoke, cowhand, cowherd] 2: a performer who gives exhibitions of riding and roping and bulldogging [syn: rodeo rider]. When looking at the definition of "educated" and "cowboy" you can clearly conclude one thing. They are in no way similar. American cowboys in the past generations have generally been known to have nothing past a high school diploma. But in America's history of the cowboy, this is nothing new. So to "Joe America," there is a new breed of cowboy in town. They are the Educated Cowboy. They recognize that education is one of the tools they need for success in life and in rodeo. No, this new breed of educated cowboy is still and always will be strong, rough, and tough. They will still say yes ma'am and tip their hat when in the presence of a lady. This new breed of cowboy recognizes that education is a tool that gives you strength for now and strength for later.

The question of all questions; is it better to go to college before a person goes onto professional rodeo. J.D. Vanhooser comfortably states, "It's worked real well for a whole lot of people. College rodeo gives you the opportunity to work at a lot of events." As many of you know, on the professional level, it is much harder to be good at and work at multiple events. College rodeo gives you the tools and opportunities to do just that. Vanhooser continues to say, "People who by-pass college to try professional rodeo usually decide they need to go back to college. It's a lot tougher to go back to school than it is to go from high school to college."

Murray State University has a very good rodeo program in Kentucky. Its rodeo coach (JD Vanhooser) is one of the many that push for education in our cowboys. They and people before them are one of the many to thank for the new generation of educated cowboy. The educated cowboy is nothing new to the PRCA. A lot of cowboy greats have gone to the PRCA, and many more each year. Besides Cord McCoy, as talked about above, there is Codi Baucom. She is in first place for PRCA barrel racing as of March 26, 2007. Codi Baucom is the real deal, and comes from none other than the PRCA. As one of the many educated cowboys, Codi went to college at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science and sport science. Codi is just one of the many PRCA greats that has received a college education. The PRCA is where you will find a good part of our college graduates. There are many rodeo and bull riding associations. But a majority of them choose the PRCA when fresh out of college. The reason, there are many. But one that would be a more obvious one is that they know the PRCA is an association that will help prosper their career and get their name on the map.