The Cotton Rosser Rodeo Complex Named

The home of the Cal Poly Rodeo team is now honored to be named the Cotton Rosser Rodeo Complex after rodeo legend and longtime Cal Poly Rodeo supporter Cotton Rosser (Animal Husbandry, ’52). The new arch at the entrance of the rodeo grounds was revealed at the 80th annual Poly Royal Rodeo in April.  

Rosser is credited with helping to establish the annual Poly Royal Rodeo event at Cal Poly. While at Cal Poly he served as the captain of the Rodeo Team and won the All-Around and National Saddle Bronc Championship. In 1956 he purchased the Flying U Rodeo Company and since then his name has become synonymous with rodeo. Rosser, who passed away in June, was known for his innovations, introducing crowd-friendly components that are now standard in the sport. He was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of Fame, awarded an honorary doctorate from Cal Poly in 2013 and in 2015 was elected to the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. He was a consistent and enthusiastic supporter of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team and a key reason that the team enjoys such a prestigious reputation today. A $5 million Cotton Rosser Rodeo Endowment honors his distinguished dedication to the sport while supporting the future of the Cal Poly Rodeo program.

Thank you to everyone involved in the design and execution of the arch honoring his legacy, and for creating a monumental sign that will be seen by all who enter the rodeo grounds and support the Cal Poly Rodeo Team.

A special thank you to this group of supporters for working together to create The Cotton Rosser Rodeo arch.

• Maino Construction
• Nerelli Welding
• Dan’s Landscaping
• Farm Supply
• Daniels Wood Land
• Cherry Lane Nursery
• Growing Grounds
• Home Depot
• Cal Poly Compost

 

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