I’VE LOVED E VERY SECOND OF IT

MSU COACH SHELBY RASMUSSEN’S RODEO ROOTS RUN DEEP

BY MIRA BRODY

Shelby Rasmussen has been competing in rodeos since she could walk. Montana State University’s Rodeo coach grew up traveling with her family— including her father, famed entertainer Flint Rasmussen—to rodeos across the country. She competed at MSU since her freshman year in 2017, moved on to assistant coach, and ultimately took on coaching full time after graduation in 2021.

“I’ve loved every second of it,” says Rasmussen. “My passion has always been rodeo. I’ve been competing since I could walk and have always wanted to be a Bobcat.”

During her time competing, she took on barrel racing, breakaway and team roping, winning the National Finals twice, and was a member of the 2021 National Championship women’s team. In her seasons coaching MSU, Rasmussen has been able to see that success translate, including to her younger sister Paige, with whom she is close. This year the women’s team has won all rodeos, save for one, and she has 15 athletes heading to the College National Finals.

Recently, MSU Athletics took the rodeo team under their jurisdiction, validation that Rasmussen says is key to the immense pride her team feels during events.