WNCC to round up rodeo team

The new Western Nevada Community College rodeo team is looking to round up some good students -- who can ride and rope as well.

The team is only the second in the state and the only one in Northern Nevada.

Riders would compete in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's West Coast Region. The college has already been accepted in the association and plans to compete for the first time this fall.

To be eligible for the team, students must be enrolled full-time in a degree program at the college and maintain a minimum C grade point average, according to Bus Scharmann, dean of the Fallon Campus and External Programs. The team will be based out of Fallon, though open to any student in the college's service area.

"We have a very active, hard-working Rodeo Booster club that has already raised over $15,000," Scharmann said.

"The enthusiasm and support for the rodeo team is incredible. Seventy-six percent of all National High School Rodeo Association members plan to continue their education beyond high school, but students in our area haven't had the option to go to college, participate in rodeo and stay in Northern Nevada. Now they'll be able to do that. All of us, WNCC faculty and staff, members of the community and students are really excited about this opportunity."

The team will include 10 members who compete in Association events and earn points for the community college, but more students can practice with the team and participate in rodeos. Students will be recruited from all of the community college's service area, including Fallon and Churchill County, Gardnerville/Minden, Yerington, Carson City, Virginia City, Dayton, Silver Springs, Fernley, Hawthorne, Lovelock and more.

The college won approval Thursday by the University and Community College System of Nevada Regents to start an intercollegiate rodeo team.

Dr. Carol Lucey, WNCC president, pointed out that no other

"No other Northern Nevada university or community college has a rodeo team, yet we're in the heart of rodeo country," said Lucey. "High school rodeo is very successful here, and this will provide those students an opportunity to compete at a higher level and continue their education."

Scharmann said that with the approval, WNCC and the Rodeo Booster Club will now be able to complete the process of starting and operating a rodeo team, including hiring a coach, securing a practice site, attracting sponsors and recruiting students to participate.

"We're very pleased with the support of the Board of Regents and now we can move our fund-raising and student recruitment efforts into high gear," said Scharmann.

For details about the college's rodeo team or the booster club, contact Bus Scharmann, Kathy McGee or Ginny Dugan at (775) 423-7565.