Texas Tech University

Riders, Ropers & Raiders: Texas Tech Rodeo Marks Annual Return

Norman Martin | October 21, 2025

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The Texas Tech Rodeo Team is set to compete in a demanding week of events as the university hosts its annual college rodeo from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center. There is no admission fee to attend.

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The competition, produced by the Texas Tech Rodeo Team student athletes and organized by Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, will bring together student athletes from across the region in a showcase of skill, tradition, and endurance.

“We’re excited to bring the Texas Tech Collegiate Rodeo back to the Texas Tech Equestrian Center,” said Head Rodeo Coach Swaize Lee. “Having the rodeo at our student athletes' home base is fantastic. We look forward to engaging the community and the university and showing Red Raider pride in every event.”

Among the highlights of the event are Slacks at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, performances at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and a Short-Go at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Additionally, there will be an Exceptional Kids Rodeo at 4 p.m. on Saturday, as well as Costume Ribbon Roping each night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“Texas Tech Rodeo has a proud tradition of student achievement and experiential learning,” said Chance Brooks, chair of the Department of Animal & Food Sciences. 

The team enters the season under new leadership. Lee, appointed in June as head coach, brings a values-driven approach and forward-looking vision for the program. Her arrival, university officials said, aligns with Davis College’s broader goals of fostering academic excellence, strengthening industry ties and preparing students for leadership in agriculture and natural resources.

Members of the 2025 Texas Tech Rodeo Team include:

  • Morgan Addison
  • Gail Alvarado
  • Garret Anderson
  • Braxton Barker
  • Shaylee Baxley
  • Madison Bean 
  • Morgan Bodenhemier
  • Sterling Boyles
  • Byars Brown
  • Shay Clements
  • Cannon Cody
  • Bella Cortesano 
  • Carter Crump
  • Tayler Eiguren
  • Medora Ellingson
  • Mason Elliott
  • Jessi Everett
  • Jett Fisher
  • Madalyn Fisher
  • Jayce Gamble
  • Madison Glenn
  • Scarlett Gott
  • Kadence Graff
  • Lilly Hamilton
  • Brooke Hanson
  • Cal Heidelberg 
  • Emma Hulse
  • Sadie Jackson
  • Parker James
  • Lila Jardine
  • Reid Jones
  • Sofie Jones
  • Jarett Justiss
  • Kyle Karins
  • Kross Kelso
  • Krece Kirkpatrick 
  • Margot Knoeppel
  • CJ Lane
  • Natalie Larabee 
  • Abby Ledford
  • Will Lemay
  • Josh Lemos
  • Jackson Lively
  • Ava Malone
  • Isabella Manning
  • Kylie Mask 
  • Couy McBride
  • Abbi McClaugherty
  • Clay McNichol
  • Wes Morris
  • Allie Murphy
  • Morgan Northcutt
  • Eric Parks
  • Sophia Patino
  • Katrina Pauls
  • Alexis Perry
  • Greyse Pitre
  • Ethan Ponder
  • Kody Roberts
  • Jacob Rogers
  • Olivia Rogler
  • Rian Rusinek
  • Jordan Rydl
  • Eve Schultz
  • Seaver Senter
  • Chloe Simms
  • Rachel Sipes
  • Jordan Soliah
  • Sterling Spence
  • Ashlin Spitzer
  • Hayden Strickland
  • Kaylee Stroud
  • Torrance Thedford
  • Trail Townsend
  • Jhett Truby 
  • Kasslyn Veillon 
  • Cade Wallis
  • Colten Wallis
  • Colton Walters
  • Hadley White
  • Kale Williams
  • Madison Williams
  • Ansley Wright
  • Caroline Wright
  • Dylan Young
  • Mason Zabel

The rodeo carries a long legacy on the Texas Tech campus. Founded in 1923 as Texas Technological College, the university fielded its first rodeo team in 1947. That group won the inaugural Texas Intercollegiate Rodeo at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, two years before the formation of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

Today, the Texas Tech Rodeo remains both a competitive endeavor and a living link to the region’s agricultural heritage, drawing students, alumni and the community into the fold of a distinctly Western tradition.

CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Chair and Professor, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu

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