The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Club officially became full-fledged college athletic team after a vote by the MPCC Board of Governors at their April meeting.

The MPCC Rodeo Team is the first athletic team at the college to be deemed an “Area” team rather than being campus specific. Most of the focus to date has been in North Platte, but there are immediate plans to expand the team to cover the McCook area more heavily than in year’s past.

“Because rodeo is primarily an individual sport, MPCC Rodeo Team members will be made up of cowboys and cowgirls from the college’s entire 18-county service area,” said MPCC rodeo team coach Dustin Elliott.

Elliott, who is himself a world-champion bull rider, is excited at the possibilities – especially the fact that scholarships will now be available to team members.

“College rodeo is no different than any other college athletic sport. There are student athletes competing and representing their school in pursuit of national titles,” he said. “So when the Board recognized that fact and approved scholarships, I couldn’t have been happier. I know that without scholarships it is very hard to recruit the talented athletes who are probably getting offers from other schools, and why shouldn’t they? Now we are capable of competing for the very best athletes to compete for us.”

According to Elliott, although the new “team” designation is equivalent to the rest of MPCC’s athletic teams, team members will still need to work on fundraising activities to supplement their travel costs.

“We will still be doing some fundraising, but the new designation will allow the athletes and the coaches the ability to focus more on competing than on trying to figure how we can afford to get to the next rodeo event,” Elliott said.

Their largest event, Elliott said, will be the second annual Rail Town USA College Rodeo 2014 set for Sept. 19-20 at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.

“Last year went off without any major problems and with the support of our sponsors, we’re expecting even better performances this year,” he said.

Elliott said he is extremely grateful for the support the team received from the community during the college’s inaugural rodeo in 2013.

“Obviously, we need to thank David Fudge and the Nebraskaland Days Board of Directors for their amazing support,” he said. “We also need to recognize Kenny Barringer for practice stock, Trey Wasserburger for help with practice, and all the sponsors who made 2013 Rodeo possible.”

Elliott, who became MPCC’s Rodeo Coach early in 2013, noted that even while still designated a “club” its members performed well this season.

“In my opinion, we had a great season during my first year at the helm. We had an athlete win the region and are sending him to Nationals – a first for MPCC Rodeo,” he said, adding, “We already have a strong foundation built for next year, with confirmed returning Rodeo Team members Tyler Viers, Dakota Rice, Axel Rasmussen, Matisyn Humphrey and Julie Timmerman. We’ve also received verbal commitments from several high school rodeo standouts, which will help make our team even stronger.”

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team’s Spring Banquet held March 15 at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte was deemed a resounding success by event coordinators.

According to Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team Coach, ticket sales and auction items brought in more than $7,000. The funds will be used to purchase team gear and for traveling expenses.

“All ten members of our current rodeo team, their families, and many college employees were involved in everything from selling tickets to soliciting donations for auction items,” he said. “It wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without all the help and support we received.”

Elliott said approximately 140 tickets were sold and about 40 items were donated for the silent auction.

“Our biggest auction item, which came from an anonymous donor, was tickets to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas,” he said. “The Cowboy Connection in North Platte also generously donated a saddle that sold for $800 in the auction.”

Other auction items included sculptures of rodeo events that were made by NPCC welding student Eric Rasmussen and a quilt made by Elliott’s mother and grandmother.

“The community really stepped up to the plate to support us,” Elliott said. “If they didn’t buy a ticket most of them donated.”

Along with the auction, those who attended enjoyed a nice dinner and entertainment by Rascal.

Elliott said the committee is already planning next year’s event; however it will possibly take place earlier in the year to avoid calving season and spring break.

“We want to accommodate everybody and give them a chance to have fun while contributing to a worthy cause,” he said.

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team will have their Spring Banquet on Saturday, March 15, at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte.

Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment provided by Rascal will begin at 8 p.m. (21 and older). All proceeds will benefit the MPCC Rodeo Team travel and scholarship funds.

Advance tickets are $40 per person and are available at the North Platte Community College South Campus Welcome Center or First National Bank’s main branch in North Platte. For more information, contact MPCC Rodeo Coach Dustin Elliott at [email protected] or Carol Garrison at (308) 535-3778.

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team is raffling a handmade saddle to raise money for travel and other expenses incurred by members of the club.

“We travel extensively and when you figure the costs of transporting five to six horses, 9-10 kids, meals, fuel and other costs it can get pretty expensive,” said Mike Janecek, MPCC Rodeo Team faculty advisor.

The saddle, generously sponsored by Cowboy Connection in North Platte, has an estimated value of nearly $1,000. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. They can be purchased at the college’s Welcome Centers or from rodeo team members, coach Dustin Elliott, or Janecek.

The winner will be announced at the MPCC Rodeo Team’s mid-Winter social in February. For more information, contact Janecek at(308) 535-3645 or email [email protected].

The “2013 Railtown U.S.A. Collegiate Rodeo,” presented by First National Bank and hosted by Mid-Plains Community College, has been deemed a resounding success by college officials and event organizers.

“The first annual Railtown U.S.A. Collegiate Rodeo was a huge hit,” said North Platte Community College Vice President Marcus Garstecki. “Between the two nights of the rodeo approximately 800 spectators showed up to watch the events. I was overwhelmed with compliments that I received from community members and participants from the other colleges that competed about how great of a performance we put on. A big shout-out to MPCC Rodeo Team Coach Dustin Elliott, Faculty Advisor Mike Janecek, the rodeo club members, and the rodeo committee for all the hard work they put into pulling this event off, as well as the faculty and staff who came out to watch the rodeo and support the club.”

Garstecki also expressed gratitude for the community support and assistance the college received after learning the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association had awarded them a collegiate rodeo competition earlier this summer.

“Many thanks to Don Kurre and his staff for allowing us to team up with the increasingly popular Rail Fest event,” he said. “We’re also grateful to First National Bank-North Platte for their sponsorship and to the Nebraskaland Days organization and North Platte/Lincoln County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for all they did to make this rodeo successful.”

Garstecki was also quick to thank the Gate Sponsors and Partners for the rodeo. Gate Sponsors included Complete Eye Care Associates, Double D Trailer & AG Repair, Eagle Radio (Mix 97 and ESPN), Great Plains Regional Medical Center, KNOP NEWS 2, Kwik Stop, Mid-Nebraska Physical Therapy and Sports Center, the North Platte/Lincoln County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Nebraskaland Days, North Platte Telegraph, Snell Services and Wayne Dowhower Construction, Inc. Stepping up as Rodeo Partners were Denny Hansen Construction, Pro Printing & Graphics and the Walmart Distribution Center.

Of course, it always helps if the hosting college does well in its hometown rodeo and the MPCC Rodeo Team, coached by World Champion bull rider Dustin Elliott, had its share of success among the 14 colleges competing.

“Tyler Viers of Comstock continued his hot streak and got some points for the team by winning second place in the bull riding event,” Elliott said. “Logan Lewis just missed the short round in the tie-down roping, which is awesome considering this was his first collegiate rodeo. And Nick Tenbrink got a chance to be the bull fighter as well as competing in the Team Roping event.”

Quality livestock, provided by Brookman & Hyland and some subcontractors, and professional announcing by Jared Slagle of Farnam also contributed to the success of the rodeo. A family barbeque, musical entertainment by Rascal, and perfect weather were the icing on the cake for MPCC’s inaugural collegiate rodeo.

“I would like to personally thank everyone involved to make this a success! I felt great support in my riding career and now the community has stepped up again and shown support here,” Elliott said. “Words can’t explain my appreciation and I’m already looking forward to next year’s rodeo.”