Two talented hands with years of rodeo experience have been selected to take the leadership reins of the Texas Tech Rodeo Team on an interim basis, according to officials within the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.
Texas Tech grad Swaize Lee, an award-winning former team member, has been tapped as Interim Rodeo Coach, while Kyle VanDerLeest, a rodeo athlete with seasoned on-ranch experience, takes the position of Interim Men’s Rodeo Coach. Both positions are effective this week.
“Texas Tech is extremely fortunate to have been able to attract two experienced and knowledgeable rodeo coaches to help the team complete the competition year successfully,” said Texas Tech Equestrian Center Executive Director John Pipkin. “Swaize and Kyle are very excited to coach and assist the team, and have jumped right into the arena to help them prepare and compete.”
Lee received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech and is scheduled to complete her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs leadership in December from Abilene Christian University. She brings a strong mission-specific background to her new post, serving as Texas Tech Rodeo Team Women’s Team Captain (2019-2021); National Women’s Team Qualifier and Southwest Region Reserve Champions Women’s Team – National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (2020); and Women’s Breakaway Roping Champion – Sul Ross Rodeo (2019).
“I am grateful to return to my alma mater as the Interim Rodeo Coach at Texas Tech and give back to the program that gave so much to me,” said Lee. “TTU rodeo athletes are a dedicated and hard-working group of students. I look forward to getting to work, building relationships on the team and in the community, and having a successful year.”
VanDerLeest added, “I’m excited about this opportunity, and look forward to helping the students excel in the arena as they showcase their talents during the upcoming season.”
He received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from West Texas A&M University (2020). His extensive equine experience includes being a member of the WTAMU Rodeo Team (2017-2020) and WTAMU Horse Judging Team (2017). He was Reserve High Point Individual in the APHA World Contest; Reserve High Point Individual Quarter Horse Congress; Reserve Champion Team NRHA Contest; Blackhawk College-Galva Horse Judging Team (2015-2016); Congress Champion Team; and AQHA World Championship Team.
The new coaching leadership team will be responsible for leading and managing the daily operations of the rodeo team at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center, and will be expected to assist with rodeo technique focused courses or course activities that utilize the facility and its livestock.
In addition, they’ll be tasked with continuing recruiting of competitive team members and award rodeo team scholarships, as well as being responsible for helping procure livestock for team practices and for the health and wellbeing of horses and livestock affiliated with the rodeo program.
Currently, the Texas Tech Rodeo Team has 119 members, 67% of which are from the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. According to Davis College Program Manager for Scholarships Madi Nall, 33 members were awarded scholarships this year.
Rodeo has a long tradition within the college. Texas Tech’s first rodeo team won the first Texas Intercollegiate Rodeo held at Hardin-Simmons University-Abilene in 1947. Administration of the Texas Tech Rodeo Team is under the direction of Pipkin, a nationally recognized horse judging team coach and expert in equine care and industry relations. Prior to joining the Davis College administration in August, Pipkin worked as the American Quarter Horse Association’s Director of Officials.
In addition, he served more than three decades in a variety of positions at West Texas A&M University, including Paul Engler College of Agriculture & Natural Sciences’ Regents Professor of Animal Science, Equine Industry Program Director, and leader of an award-winning horse judging team as head coach.
The mission of the 100-acre Texas Tech Equestrian Center, which is located 10 miles southwest of the main campus, is to transform lives by providing innovative, ethical, student-focused equine programs and hands-on experiences, while engaging with others to improve the industry and communities.
Home to the Texas Tech Equestrian Team, Horse Judging Team, Ranch Horse Team, Rodeo Team and Therapeutic Riding & Therapy Center, it features a 125-feet wide by 255-feet long indoor arena with offices, a covered warm-up arena, three outdoor arenas, and an outdoor warm-up arena, as well as a 180-stall barn and a five-stall barn for horses.
CONTACT: Clint Krehbiel, Dean, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or Clint.Krehbiel@ttu.edu
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