"On the road again," is what many of the participants on the Texas Tech Rodeo Team often say. Several of these students have to think this before and after the semester because of the distance they travel to participate on the Tech team.

This year’s team has members all the way from Nanton, Alberta, Canada, to Fallan, Nev., to Pierre, S.D., to Phoenix, Ariz., to Sonora, Texas and throughout the rest of the West Texas region.

Whether it is to travel to Lubbock to begin school or to travel all over the state of Texas to rodeo, these guys are always on the road. The chance to rodeo is more than just participating in a sport, it is a full time job, especially at the college rodeo level.

The name "Texas Tech University" is the reason many of the 41- team members choose to come to this school. Tech has a powerful name in the college rodeo arena. This name recognition came from hard work and dedication of past rodeo members, and from the reputation the university receives for its great degree programs.

The opportunity to participate in the Southwest Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association is another reason why some choose Tech. This region is one of the toughest in which to compete. During the 1999-2000 school year, Tech had three participants earn a trip to the college rodeo finals in Casper, Wyo. Kyle Bowers was the Reserve National Champion bareback rider.

Chris Guay, the rodeo coach, is another reason students want to attend Tech and rodeo. Guay is an ex-Southwest Region champion and holds a master’s degree from Tarleton State University. He relates to the rodeo participant well. Guay tries to recruit students who are really interested in getting a college degree and rodeoing, not just one or the other.

"Who says we only have to have one goal," Guay said. "Tech offers the best of both worlds to students interested in rodeoing. They have a chance to get a good college degree and participate in a great college rodeo program."

There really is a lot of education in the college rodeo scene. Contestants have to manage their schedules so they can attend class regularly, practice for rodeos, take care of their animals, study and also participate in the rodeos Thursdays through Saturdays. There are many times when they have to drive all night long in order to participate in the rodeo on Thursday night and attend class on Friday.

"We have kids that are really good students and athletes. They are extremely dedicated to being successful at both school and rodeo," Guay said. "College rodeoing is really a love or passion for a lot of these guys, and for some of them it is what has kept them in school."

So, you still wonder why some of the team members travel so far from home to be a member of the Texas Tech Rodeo Team?

Jessica Melvin, a junior physical therapy major from Pierre, S.D., chose Tech because of what the school could offer her.

"Tech has a great physical therapy program along with a very well organized rodeo team," Melvin said.

Melvin had the opportunity to rodeo anywhere she wanted, but she chose Tech because she wanted to experience the "Texas" life.

"I thought it would be neat to experience living in another part of the world," Melvin said. "It was easy to make the decision to come to Texas Tech because I found out that I had everything going for me here, and also because Tech has great support. Support from others always makes things easier," Melvin said.

Lindsay Sears, a sophomore from Nanton, Alberta, Canada, chose Tech for several different reasons.

"First, because I wanted to be able to rodeo in the state of Texas, said Sears. "The second reason, is because Texas Tech is the best college in the state of Texas one can rodeo at and get a great college education."

Nathan Mattox and his brother Jason are from Phoenix, Ariz. They came to Tech to ride bulls. They both found out about Tech from being a part of the rodeo team at Odessa Junior College, a team in the Southwest Region.

"One of the main reasons I came to Tech is because of Chris Guay.
He has helped me out a lot and is a really nice guy," Jason Mattox said. "I wanted to come to Tech to get my ag education degree, and to be able to compete for a great school in the very competitive Southwest Region."

Marvel Murphy, from Fallan, Nev., chose to rodeo for Tech for several different reasons.

"I wanted to come to Tech because it is a very prestigious school, and I feel that it is a privilege to attend Texas Tech. I am happy to be able to represent them through the college rodeo circuit," Murphy said.

The Texas Tech Rodeo Team would not be where it is without the great support and help they have from the university itself and also the great supporters in the community.

"Things are really great with the team right now and are only getting better," Guay said. "I want to be a competitive school within the Southwest Region. This will come from continued support and also from recruiting students that know anything worth achieving will take sacrifice."

This year the Tech rodeo team members will be on the road again to achieve their goals both in the classroom and in the rodeo arena.

On the Road Again