MONTICELLO, Arkansas — The annual Weevil Stampede is here. The UAM Rodeo Team is proud to host its 16th annual collegiate rodeo on April 21-23. Nearly 16 teams from the region will compete in 9 events. Each region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association is allowed to produce 10 rodeos a year, and Monticello is one of those sites. The forecast calls for all three days to be sunny for the Weevil Stampede, with highs in the low 80s and rain chances of less than 10%. UAM Coach Rusty Jones says between 260-270 students will compete for a chance to go the National Championship Rodeo held in Casper, Wyoming in early June, which is the biggest stage for these competitors. Jones said he has several athletes that are still in the running to win the region or place in the top three and make the College National Finals. A good finish would help them get closer to a trip to Casper. Out of Jones’s 12 years as UAM Rodeo Coach, he has taken competitors to nationals 10 of those years. He says UAM has had a moderate amount of success there.
Jones says most team members have been involved in rodeo their whole lives. They get to come to school and bring their horses with them. The rodeo team works as an incentive to help them keep their grades up, finish their degrees, and enjoy their college experience a little bit more by doing something they are passionate about. Jones has recruited from all over the country from Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Indiana, in addition to a good number being from Arkansas. “If we have their degree option and provide a coach interested in advancing their skills in the rodeo arena, they are interested in coming to UAM,” said Jones. There are 13 members on this year’s team.
“These college athletes are not riding on lower-grade livestock. Our stock contractor, Universal Pro Rodeo,” said Jones, “is the same Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association stock you see on any given weekend.” Jones said, “these cowboys are getting on the same bulls if they were going to a professional rodeo next weekend. They are professional caliber livestock here in Monticello at a college rodeo instead of pro rodeo in another town.”
There will be nine events at the Weevil Stampede. Team roping is open to both men and women. Women compete in four events; men will have six. Events for men include saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, and team roping. Women’s events include barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway roping, and team roping.
The top 10 from Thursday and Friday will move to the finals Saturday at 2 p.m. Jones said, “I have a great group of athletes that I enjoy being around. They are going to work hard and going to try and put on a rodeo that we can be proud of, the town can be proud, and the university can be proud,” said Jones.
The main event Thursday and Friday begins at 7 p.m., while the Saturday finals start at 2 p.m. The event takes place at the Drew County Fairgrounds.
“We’re glad that we can bring these people to town and support the people who sponsor us all year. We couldn’t do this without our local sponsors that help us host this rodeo and without the support from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. We are happy for the opportunity to showcase our athletes,” said Jones
For More Information, call 870-460-1052
Admission:
$10 Adults
$5 Children 6-12
Free Children 5 and under
$5 with UAM ID
MAJOR SPONSORS:
COMMERCIAL BANK AND TRUST
UNION BANK
MONTICELLO AMBULANCE SERVICES
C & L ELECTRIC CO-OP
CHRIS BRYAN STATE FARM
FARM BUREAU
BARNETT ROW SERVICES INC
SOUTHEAST EMS