STILLWATER, Okla. (October 16, 2016) – The OSU Rodeo Team and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University are proud to host the third annual Cowboy Stampede rodeo to be held Oct. 20-22.  Performances will take place each evening at 7 at the Payne County Fairgrounds, which is located at Highway 51 and Fairgrounds Road in Stillwater.

This year’s rodeo will serve as a 70 th anniversary celebration of the team and the kickoff to “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration” presented by the OSU Alumni Association.

“This year is special to us because we have been given the opportunity to tie two long-standing traditions together as one,” said Cody Hollingsworth, rodeo program coordinator and head coach. “Both Homecoming and the Cowboy Stampede rodeo serve the purpose of bringing the university, community and surrounding communities together to celebrate OSU.”

The rodeo will include special guest appearances by OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl, Ann; DASNR vice president Thomas Coon and his wife, Rhonda; Pistol Pete; the Homecoming Executive Team; and the Homecoming Royalty Court.

There are several new additions to the event including a Harvest II food barrel set up for donations of canned food items and food trucks on site for rodeo attendees to enjoy at all three performances as well as a kids’ corral and rodeo alumni BBQ on Saturday night.

“We truly believe that this is an event everyone should experience at least once,” Hollingsworth said. The Cowboy Stampede is sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. The NIRA includes 11 national regions, and OSU participates in the Central Plains Region, which features 18 colleges and universities from Kansas and Oklahoma, totaling more than 500 regional competitors.

Each evening’s performance will feature nine events. The students will be competing as individuals and as a team. Championship buckles will be presented to event and all-around winners at Saturday night’s championship performance.

Tickets are $10 each, and children five years or younger are free. Discounted tickets ($5) are available with an OSU ID, school ID or OSU Alumni Association membership. Tickets for the event are on sale online at rodeo.okstate.edu and at Cavender’s in Stillwater.

The team will be selling tickets on campus the following dates:

Monday, Oct. 17 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ag Hall Front Steps

Tuesday, Oct. 18 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ag Hall Front Steps

Wednesday, Oct. 19 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chi-O Clock

Thursday, Oct. 20 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chi-O Clock

Tickets also will be sold at the gate (while supplies last) prior to each performance. Gates will open at 5 p.m. Visit rodeo.okstate.edu for more information about the Cowboy Stampede and to the OSU Rodeo Team.

The OSU Rodeo Team is a program within the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. It began in 1946 when six young men started practicing and competing together after they returned from World War II. The OSU Rodeo Team has been a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association since 1948 and competes in the Central Plains Region. Today, the OSU Rodeo Team provides an opportunity for students to continue to grow in their sport in addition to gaining a top-notch education. For more information, visit rodeo.okstate.edu.

###

REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:

Melissa Mourer

Communications Coordinator

Agricultural Communications Services

144 Agriculture North

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK 74078

Phone: 405-744- 3737

Email: melissa.mourer@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating: Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.