LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texas Tech’s 77th annual collegiate rodeo kicked off Thursday, with coaches saying the team’s 85 members have signed up and done their part for the event.
The event runs Thursday through Saturday at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center.
Krece Kirkpatrick, graduate assistant coach for Tech Rodeo, said the past week has been busy for the team.
“It’s great. We’ve been extremely busy the last week here. We’ve been very fortunate. We have a very large team of 85 members. And they’ve all signed up and done their part. And we’re really looking forward to putting this rodeo on this week,” Kirkpatrick said.
Coaches focus on life lessons
Kirkpatrick was a Red Raider and a member of the rodeo team. He’s now passing his experience along to the current team.
“Just teach them the lessons here in the rodeo arena that they go a lot further than just rodeo. I’m a firm believer that rodeo is a big character-building sport. You know, there’s lots of ups and downs, a lot of downs. And it really just teaches us how to push through the hard times and just build a better person in general,” Kirkpatrick said.
Head coach Swaize Lee said she is building a community in addition to a rodeo team. She said she teaches team members about going from being an individual to becoming a team member.
“And then, obviously…we’re just always looking to build good humans and send them on into the workforce. Or maybe they just continue in rodeo. Whatever they’re doing in life, we’re really just trying to build good people,” Lee said.
Nine events over three days
The three-day rodeo features nine events, including bareback, barrel racing, breakaways and bull riding, at the Texas Tech Equestrian Center.
The event features “costume ribbon roping” each night.
Kirkpatrick said a 12-and-under costume contest is scheduled for Saturday.
“All the kids come dressed up in your best costume. And the winner, winner takes all, you’ll get your little buckle just like any competitor does,” Kirkpatrick said.
Tickets and schedule
Tickets are $10 per person. Texas Tech students get in free with their student ID on Friday.
Lee and Kirkpatrick are grateful for the community’s support as they reach the end of the fall semester. They are excited to share the Western tradition and Texas Tech’s longstanding ties to agriculture.
A schedule of events is available here or you can follow along on their Facebook page.
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