Dirt kicks up around the arena, creating a dusty haze that only enhances the scene unfolding.
The competitor and her horse easily clear the first barrel, making their way around the second and third before taking off towards the gate.
The sound of the buzzer completes their run, and the crowd waits patiently for the next barrel racer to enter the arena.
This is what fans can expect as Lamar University rodeo team kicks off its inaugural season, Sept. 26-27, at Panola College in Tatum.
“We want to be competitive with our current students,” Gene Theodori, LU associate provost and head rodeo coach, said. “In the ideal situation, both barrel racers we have — and others who make it along the way — will qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo. That will be held in June in Casper, Wyoming. So, that’s what these kids do. They compete all year to qualify.”
While the rodeo team currently has a small number of members, Theodori said they plan to grow membership and expand the events they compete in.
“We’re in the early stages of building this team,” he said. “We only have a couple students right now. But my hope and my plan is to really work this upcoming year to get the word out, publicize the fact that Lamar has formed a rodeo team, and begin to recruit student athletes to come here to Lamar to compete.”
Alongside publicizing the team, Theodori said he is also searching for sponsorships and donors. These funds will help create scholarships.
“We’ll be trying to attract students who currently compete at the Texas High School Rodeo Association,” he said. “There will be opportunities to recruit students from the junior colleges and two-year schools who are currently competing.
“It’s going to take a lot of work, but I think we’re up for it.”
Before the creation of LU’s rodeo team, Theodori said rodeo athletes often had to go elsewhere to continue their career and education, often to McNeese.
“There’s a lot of rodeo talent here in Southeast Texas, and those kids had to go to other universities to work on their degree and to rodeo,” Theodori said. “Now, we’re giving them the opportunity to stay close to home and provide them a world-class education here at Lamar University. Now, we don’t have to go across the river to McNeese.”
Theodori said people don’t have to know how to rodeo to get involved. LU has a club to help interested students learn about the sport. He said he is working to provide ways for students to try out events and practice.
“What I’m doing this semester is working with local stock contractors to set up some practice times,” he said. “We could get the kids who haven’t rodeoed to go and meet with the stock contractors and learn a little bit about what it takes to ride a bronc, what calf roping entails, and all the other events.”
Beaumont and Southeast Texas hosts pro rodeo events throughout the year, but Theodori said college is different.
“If you haven’t seen college rodeo, it’s a sight to see,” he said. “You have that competitive spirit. You have colleges and universities competing against each other for the title of champion at that rodeo.
“It’s kind of like watching a pro football game versus a college football game. The atmosphere is a little different. If you’ve been to a professional rodeo and you haven’t seen college rodeo, come check it out.”
The team’s closest event will be at McNeese in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Oct. 24-25.
For the rodeo team’s full schedule and more information, visit lamar.edu/ rodeo.