A Letter from Ron Bass, Rodeo Booster President
As we near the closing of the 2022 year and the end of our 50th year anniversary of the Rodeo Booster’s existence, the Booster Board would like to thank the following Honorary Board Members for the commitment and leadership they have given us over past 50 years: the creator of the board of directors back in 1972, JoAnn Switzer followed by Randy Arseneau, Joanie Ketcham and Kathy Loftus, also, a big shout-out to Lee and Bonnie Rosser for their time as board members (both past presidents) as without their perseverance we would not have a rodeo program today. Thank you all for your guidance and support and look forward to the years ahead!
The Boosters are planning for future projects that we are hoping to fund with our booster support network.
- Additional electrical power to the Cotton Rosser Rodeo Complex
- Locker room/bathrooms (currently using port-a-potties)
- New lighting for the Manfred and Jean Sander Arena
- Hall of Fame and VIP viewing platform
Please visit the Cal Poly Rodeo Booster website at rodeobooster.com to support these facility improvements and our many scholarship opportunities.
Here are a few of the many testimonials we receive from Cal Poly Rodeo athletes that your contributions have supported.
“Aloha my name is Aukina Hunt, and I am a third-year agricultural business major. I am proud to be a member of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team and excited to be competing in this next season. The 2021-22 season was my first complete year to rodeo and I have had an incredible time already! My primary event is Team Roping, and lately I have added Calf Roping to my line up and jumped in on Steer Wrestling from time to time too! I am very grateful and honored to be named this year’s awardee of the Karl Giacomini Memorial Award and proudly wear this beautiful belt buckle and knife every day. On behalf of myself and my family I am grateful for the privilege to carry on this legacy at Cal Poly, and the scholarship award and financial support is making this possible. Carrying a full load of courses, training every day and working at the rodeo grounds makes for a full plate and being far from home has added challenges. The support of the Rodeo Boosters has helped to make the Cal Poly Rodeo experience more than just a team sport, but an extension of family. I am deeply grateful and look forward to the year ahead.”
—Aukina Hunt
“Receiving scholarships from the Rodeo Boosters and the numerous other Cal Poly Rodeo scholarships is a privilege that few other rodeo programs and rodeo athletes get access too. I am so thankful to the entire rodeo program and all our supporters for the amazing opportunities. Without this support, I would not have been able to pursue my master’s degree and continue representing Cal Poly Rodeo at the national level as student region director and NIRA student president.”
—Tyree Cochrane
“I cannot express my gratitude enough towards the Rodeo Booster’s for presenting me with a rodeo scholarship during the 2021-22 season. This scholarship lifted some of the financial hardship, allowing me to focus more on my studies and my sport. I feel very honored to be a part of a team that has the support the Cal Poly Rodeo team has because of the Booster’s.”
—Sammy Massey
The future is very bright and with your ongoing support we will continue to invest in the future!!
The Rodeo Boosters are excited to add two new scholarships to our list of great opportunities for rodeo students. The “CNFR Scholarship” has by been established to help support the qualifiers as they travel to Casper with their expenses. We have added an additional memorial scholarship as well, the boosters are honored and humbled to be the recipient of this family and their friend’s generosity to establish the “Patrick McWhorter Memorial Scholarship.” McWhorter was a longtime supporter of one of our very own Cal Poly Rodeo students, the family wishes are to continue that support well into the future.
The specific and primary purpose of the Cal Poly Rodeo Boosters is to promote the welfare of the rodeo program and preserve the rodeo program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo by encouraging students to attend Cal Poly and participate in the sport of rodeo through financial and other assistance. Rodeo Boosters started in 1972 and recognized in 2002 as a federal 501(c)3 non-profit # 46-0466538 with all net proceeds donated to the Cal Poly Rodeo Program. You can find us online at rodeoboosters.com or follow us on Facebook.
Thanks again for all your continued support, the Booster Board is looking forward to continuing improvements in and around the arena and investing in the future with scholarships to deserving students.
Best of health to all,
Ron Bass
Rodeo Booster President
Read more stories on in the Fall 2022 Newsletter