The 57th annual University of Tennessee at Martin Spring College Rodeo is set for Thursday, April 17, through Saturday, April 19, at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex. Doors will open at 6 p.m. each night, and the performance rounds will start at 7:30 p.m.
Annually recognized as one of the biggest events on campus, the UT Martin Spring College Rodeo includes timed events and rough stock events (including bull riding) each night. The Skyhawk men’s and women’s teams will compete against fellow Ozark Region National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) members in one of the final regular season outings before the 77th annual College National Finals Rodeo, which is scheduled for June 15-21 in Casper, Wyoming.
Wendell Alexander Realty, Top Tier Auctions and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture are sponsoring a shrimp boil on Wednesday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by the UT Martin Rodeo Booster Club, the event is open to the public. The cost is $25 per plate (hamburgers and hot dogs will also be served) at the American Legion Post 55 building at 221 Central St. in Martin.
The 57th annual UT Martin Spring College Rodeo officially begins on Thursday with Tyson, Obion County Complex sponsoring the performance round. Day 2 of the event will take place on Friday, as that performance round is sponsored by Tennessee Tractor LLC.
The top 10 finalists from each event (bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, goat tying, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding) then advance to Saturday’s Martin Paving Company Championship Finals performance round.
Award-winning public address announcer Garrett Yerigan from Pryor, Oklahoma, and rodeo clown/funny man Dusty Myers out of Jumpertown, Mississippi, each return to those roles to provide a festive atmosphere. Hampton Pro Rodeo, based in Springdale, Arkansas, is the stock contractor for this year’s event.
The UT Martin online silent auction features different items as bidding runs through noon Saturday. Proceeds go directly to the Skyhawk rodeo program for needs such as scholarships, facility upkeep, etc. A link for this year’s silent auction can be found at this site.
Tickets are still on sale for each nightly session for $12 on Thursday and $20 for each of the Friday and Saturday performance sessions. Children 5 and under receive free admission, but must sit in an adult’s lap. All seats are reserved and can be purchased online at this site.
For fans who cannot attend, a live stream of each night’s performance round will be provided online for $10 per session at the ticket link above. Star 95.1 FM will broadcast each night of the rodeo live with David Brewer and Paul Tinkle on the call on the radio dial as well as at this site.
