Gillette College 01

2008-2009 Rodeo Team

Will LaDuke Gillette College Rodeo Coach / Recruiter

In the first competing season ever in Gillette College Rodeo we qualified 3 students to the CNFR (College National Finals) Brad Johnson Steer Wrestling (Central Rocky Mountain Champion) Jessi Cates Barrel Racing (Reserve Champion crmr) Chasen Floyd Steer Wrestling (third place crmr)

Current standings after the fall of 08 are:

LaDuke’s credentials include 2008 Central Rocky Mountain Coach of the Year; a qualifier in the National High School Finals Rodeo in Calf Roping and Team Roping; being a Reserve College National Champion Calf Roper; being a Badlands Professional Rodeo Finals Champion Roper; being a Professional Rodeo Cowboy/Performance Horse Trainer; LaDuke holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education from North Dakota State University and has coached the FFA South Dakota State Champion Horse and Livestock Judging Teams.

Indoor Rodeo Arena Sponsorship

National Standings

Gillette College Women’s Team currently 13th in the nation Gillette College Men’s Team currently 23rd in the nation

Regional Standings

Men’s Teams Top 10 current standings 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

Central Wyoming College University of Wyoming Gillette College Casper College Northeastern Junior College Lamar Community College Eastern Wyoming College Chadron State College Sheridan College Otero Junior College

Amanda Welsh

For more information about sponsorship or the Rodeo Team, contact LaDuke at (307) 689-5806, or at wladuke@sheridan.edu.

Women’s Team Top 10 current standings 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)

University of Wyoming Gillette College Central Wyoming College Chadron State College Lamar Community College Sheridan College Eastern Wyoming College Northeastern Junior College Casper College

10) Colorado State University

Will Bagley

300 West Sinclair Gillette, WY 82718 307.686.0254

** top two teams qualify for the CNFR

www.gillettecampus.org

Jayden Hansen

Pronghorns Gillette College

www.gillettecampus.org

www.gillettecampus.org

Indoor Rodeo Arena

Sponsorship

Brad Jhonson Jessi Cates

The idea of creating a rodeo team at Gillette College began after the 2005 National High School Rodeo Finals were held in Gillette.

A meeting of both public and private community members was organized and convened at the college. The enthusiasm and support by this group determined that rodeo was an excellent choice for the College’s first sport. A coach was hired and the recruiting process began.

This is the second year of the program and both the Pronghorn Cowboys and Cowgirls are competing nationally with a strong showing at all rodeos in which they have competed. Team membership is made up of 30 students from Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. The team is a talented group of dedicated student athletes who compete at the highest level in the Central Rocky Mountain Region.

An early goal of the rodeo program was having an indoor arena so the team could practice regardless of weather. This is now starting to become reality with a generous land donation in December 2008 from Western Skyline Properties, LLC of Gillette and the involvement of the Gillette College Foundation.

An indoor arena will allow the students a year round practice facility and help develop Gillette as the home of the most successful two year college rodeo team in the nation. This facility, along with the continued excellence in recruiting and dedicated coaching will make the Gillette College Rodeo Team even more competitive with the goal of winning a National Championship, the next step in the rodeo story at Gillette College.

A fund raising campaign has begun with the hope to have the arena construction completed by summer of 2010. We invite you to follow our progress and help us with this important opportunity to advance our young rodeo tradition.

The rodeo team wishes to thank the partners of Western Skyline Partners LLC and the Gillette College Foundation for their efforts in making this gift possible. The gift valued at $700,000 coupled with successful fundraising for the practice arena will enhance the level of competition for the hardworking rodeo student athletes.

Proposed building floor plans

Sponsorship Levels ✪✪$200,000 gift – Naming rights to the indoor arena ✪✪$50,000 gift – Naming rights to the outdoor porch ✪✪$50,000 gift – Naming rights to the rough stock pens

✪✪$50,000 gift – Naming rights to inside concession area and arena office ✪✪$25,000 gift – Bucking Chute Sponsor ✪✪$15,000 gift – Roping Chute Sponsor ✪✪$10,000 gift – Horse Pens Sponsor www.gillettecampus.org

✪✪All donors of $5,000 or more will have their brand or company logo on the front exterior of the building ✪✪All donors of $1,000 or more will have their name on the Rodeo Wall of Donors at the main entrance to the arena. ✪✪Bricks to commemorate an individual, friend or special occasion will be aligned at the main entrance walk for $150