UW Rodeo Team to Host Bucking Horse Gala Fundraiser Feb. 23

University of Wyoming alumnus and 2007 world champion steer wrestler Jason Miller, of Lusk, is the guest speaker Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Bucking Horse Gala, a dinner and auction to raise money for the UW rodeo team.

Team members will host the gala at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, 222 S. 22nd St.

This will be a night to not only raise money for the rodeo team, but also to recognize the student-athletes and the hard work they put in, says first-year UW rodeo Coach Beau Clark. Funds will support student scholarships and operating costs for livestock used for rodeo practice.

“This should be a great night to support the rodeo student-athletes at UW. ‘The World Needs More Cowboys,’ and we are excited about the rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls at UW,” Clark says. “We have amazing young people who do a good job in the classroom and rodeo arena. A night to support this group of students at UW is long past due. We hope this is a fun event for people to socialize and connect with rodeo and the Western culture of Wyoming.”

A silent auction and cocktail hour begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a live auction.

Tickets can be purchased by Feb. 15 at http://uw.uwyo.edu/rodeodinner. Tickets are $55 per individual or $500 to sponsor a table. Tables are for seven individuals, and one UW rodeo team member will be at each table.

Five rodeo competitions are scheduled this spring semester for Central Rocky Mountain Region (CRMR) teams. Practice for the spring season is already underway, with the first rodeo scheduled March 15-17 at Gillette College. The season concludes April 26-28 with the “JCA Companies UW Rodeo Laramie River Rendezvous.” Qualifying athletes will compete at the College National Rodeo Finals in Casper in June.

The UW men are in first place in the CRMR heading into the spring season, while the Cowgirls are second behind Gillette College.

For more information, call Sofia Garcia at (307) 766-2315 or email sgarci16@uwyo.edu.