Grizzly Athletics will host a collegiate rodeo this fall, marking the first time the university's rodeo
program will compete on its home dirt since its inception.
The three-day event is scheduled for Oct. 8 through 10 at the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds
in West Plains.
The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Rodeo team was established in the spring of
2024 and will be entering its third season of competition in the Ozark Region of the National
Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).
“Members of the communities we serve have been hoping to see our Grizzly Rodeo student-
athletes in action since the announcement of the program,” Athletic Director Rachel Peterson
said. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to host a college rodeo that will bring hundreds of
contestants and fans to West Plains.”
Head coach Matt Hughes noted that hosting a home rodeo is a major milestone for the
program's local visibility and recruitment growth.
“I am excited to showcase the MSU-WP college rodeo program on our own dirt,” Hughes said.
“Between the excitement this will bring for the program and the economic impact that comes
with a college rodeo, this will truly be a special event.”
The NIRA Ozark Region consists of 18 teams from both two-year and four-year institutions and
hosts 10 rodeos annually. Standard collegiate events include bareback riding, saddle bronc
riding, bull riding, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, goat tying, barrel racing and
breakaway roping.
Regional competitors slated to travel to West Plains include Three Rivers College, Missouri
Valley College, Arkansas Tech University, East Mississippi Community College, Murray State
University, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Pearl River Community College, Southern
Arkansas University, the University of Arkansas-Monticello, the University of Tennessee-Martin
and the University of West Alabama.
Bringing the event to West Plains required a broad municipal partnership, according to Grizzly
Club Board member Russ Gant.
“With the partnership between Missouri State-West Plains, the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds
and the city of West Plains, particularly its tourism department, we believe we can build this to
be an exciting event to last many years,” Gant said.
MSU-WP Chancellor Zora Mulligan praised the coaching staff and student-athletes for
establishing the team's presence quickly enough to secure a regional hosting slot.
“We are proud to have the opportunity to host a college rodeo,” Mulligan said. “It is a sign of how
quickly our coaching staff and student-athletes have established themselves. We look forward to
seeing our students compete and welcoming visitors from across the region.”
Area businesses and corporations interested in event sponsorship or advertising opportunities
can contact Hughes via email at MatthewHughes@MissouriState.edu.
