Gifts and Grants Spur Rodeo Team Growth

In the fall of 2023, the ASU Rodeo Team was about to start its first season with seven student-athletes preparing for competition in a practice arena that was undergoing the early stages of major renovations. An anonymous challenge grant had just been announced with the pledge to match all donations toward funding the renovations up to $1 million.

Jump to the 2024-25 season, and the forward progress of the entire program has been remarkable. Trey Hughes, an interdisciplinary studies major from Christoval, qualified for the 2024 College National Finals at the end of the ASU Rodeo Team’s first season, and this year’s team has grown to over 30 student-athletes.

Casey Sisk “I was going to be happy if we had 15 or 20,” said Head Coach Casey Sisk. “But our team has grown quicker than I ever thought it would, so I’m plenty tickled. I think it says something about both our program and Angelo State that we are up and growing so fast. My goal was to have one of our student-athletes make the national finals our second year, and we’ve already beaten that.”

“We have a full men’s team and a full women’s team this season,” he added. “With our returning members and the recruits who came in, we should be a major player in the men’s and women’s team standings.”

One of the primary factors in the rapid growth of the team is the availability of scholarships for rodeo student-athletes. In February 2024, a West Texas family gifted ASU $500,000 to establish the Bob Johnson Rodeo Endowment that supports team operations, including scholarships. Additional private donations totaling $75,000 have funded two more endowments specifically for rodeo scholarships, and ASU has also received $10,000 in general rodeo scholarship support.

“Having more rodeo scholarships available has made a huge impact on the ASU Rodeo Program.”

The results of all that generosity are certainly noticeable. For 2023-24, ASU was able to offer rodeo scholarships to five students, totaling $19,400 – compared to 21 rodeo scholarship awards and offers for 2024-25, totaling $81,000.

“Having more rodeo scholarships available has made a huge impact on the ASU Rodeo Program and has allowed the team to grow from seven to 34 student competitors,” Sisk said. “I have been able to recruit some really top-notch student-athletes, and I believe we will continue to be able to grow the team even more next fall with the continued support from our generous donors.”

Another area of tremendous growth has been community involvement. Grassroots support has come from numerous individuals and local companies, including general gifts totaling about $75,000, as well as donations of livestock feed, a variety of equipment and even a tractor. Additionally, over $392,000 has so far been contributed by various parties in response to the challenge grant toward improvements at the ASU Rodeo Complex.

“I could go on forever about all the people who have helped us,” Sisk said. “The support we had for our first year was pretty awesome, and it has only increased for our second year. I don’t think many rodeo schools have as much support as we do.”

“Our team has grown quicker than I ever thought it would.”

However, the extensive renovations to the complex are ongoing, as is the need for additional support for the entire program.

“We have a lot of ground still to cover,” Sisk said. “For essentially having just a year and a half so far, we have accomplished a lot in a short time. With the scholarships we offer, the facility we have, and the leaps and bounds we’re making with the program, it’s an open door for students who want to come and be a part of it. But we still have a lot of work to do.”

To contribute to the $1 million match for ASU Rodeo Complex improvements or the Bob Johnson Rodeo Endowment, or make a general contribution to the ASU Rodeo Team, contact the ASU Office of Development at 325-942-2116 or development@angelo.edu. Contributions can also be made online at angelo.edu/rodeo.