Best Colleges For Bull Riding

College Bull Riding 2014

When most people think of college athletics, their thoughts usually turn to such sports as football or basketball. However, at many colleges across the United States sports such as bull riding take center stage. In fact, many schools offer athletic scholarships for bull riding just as others do for more conventional sports. The types of schools participating in bull riding vary, with both community colleges and four-year universities boasting some of the top teams and riders. For cowboys and cowgirls who want to spend their college years riding the biggest bulls while earning a degree, there are many opportunities to do so.

The Top Bull-Riding Schools

The best college programs for amateur bull riding span the country, though most are located in the western half of the United States. While many schools compete, there are 10 schools that have become powerhouses when it comes to amateur bull riding. Among the best of the best are:

• University of Nevada-Las Vegas

• Walla Walla Community College

• Tarleton State University

• New Mexico State University

• Central Wyoming College

• Cal-Poly Tech

• Mesalands Community College

• Weber State University

• Sam Houston State University

• College of Southern Idaho

Of all these schools, Sam Houston State has won the most national championships, having won eleven over a thirty-year span. Most schools have both men’s and women’s bull-riding teams, with schools such as Tarleton State boasting both men’s and women’s teams being ranked in the top 10 nationally.

The Stars of the Show

Jake, Cody and Jesse at the 2013 Wrangler NFR. These brothers attended the College of Southern Idaho.

While the emphasis during competitions focuses mostly on teams, individual titles are also up for grabs. Some of the best-known competitors come from tiny Mesalands Community College in Texas and include female bull rider Macy Fuller and her male counterpart Mike McGinn, the nation’s top male bull-riding recruit out of high school. Other top competitors include:

• Roy Johnson–Central Wyoming
• Jesse and Cody Wright–College of Southern Idaho

As the sport gains in popularity, schools are finding it much easier to locate students who want to earn a degree while also spending time in the corral after class trying to figure out how to stay on the biggest bull there.

College National Finals Rodeo

Called the “Rose Bowl” of college rodeo, the College National Finals Rodeo is the most prestigious title any rider can win in amateur bull riding. Some of the winners in the bull riding competition over the years include:

• Justin French–Central Arizona College
• Dustin Elliott–Chadron State College
• Matt Peak–Dodge City Community College

So while students at many colleges will be taking leisurely strolls around campus, students with dreams of becoming professional bull riders will be found wearing their faded blue jeans, cowboy boots and hats around the corral, hoping to figure out the right techniques to become world champions.

Cowboy Lifestyle Network encourages you to take a look at some of these colleges mentioned if you are looking for a future in bull riding.
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Last Updated on 05/09/2019 by Aaron Kuhl

About the Author:

Aaron Kuhl

Biography:

Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN). Growing up as an Arizona native, with a mother who worked for Wrangler Western for over 30 years, Aaron was immersed in the cowboy culture from a young age. Aaron and his sister Heather grew up watching rodeos, as their grandfather and uncle were PRCA ProRodeo cardholders. This early exposure has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for the western way of life.

Aaron went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, then to the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, where he received a Bachelor of Science after creating his own major. This unique course of study wove together Business Marketing, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Aaron joined CLN in its nascent stages, contributing to its growth and development over the past decade. As COO, Aaron manages operations, using AI to streamline processes and analyze data, ensuring CLN remains a leading voice. With expertise in business development, he innovates and cultivates client relationships, supporting CLN’s exponential growth.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron values his faith, family, and friends, which are the cornerstones of his life. This personal foundation, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a trusted and authoritative voice in the western lifestyle community.

Aaron’s commitment to philanthropy is the bedrock of his personal ethos. He actively supports local Arizona organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Chandler Compadres, Horses Help, Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, and the American Heart Association (among others), reflecting his dedication to giving back and strengthening the community he calls home.

Through his work, Aaron aims to preserve and promote the traditions of the west, ensuring that the spirit of the cowboy lives on for future generations.

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