By: Justin Hargrove, Assistant Athletic Director
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region will have the third rodeo of the 2023-2024 season in Mount Pleasant, Texas October 20th and 21st. Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) will be the host of the Rodeo held at the Mount Pleasant Rodeo Association Arena located on Greenhill Road in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
In addition to the NTCC Eagle Rodeo Team you will see teams from all over Texas, and Louisiana, competing for a chance to qualify for the Collegiate National Finals Rodeo to be held in Casper, Wyoming in June. NTCC competes in the Southern region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association with Hill College, Louisiana State University-Alexandria, McNeese State University, Panola College, Sam Houston State University, Southwest Texas Junior College, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Trinity Valley Community College, and Wharton County Junior College.
Fans will get the opportunity to watch a full production Rodeo put on by the students with the stock provided by the legendary Wing Rodeo Company. The Rodeo events on Friday will start at 9:00am with a morning slack session (free admission) and the regular Rodeo will kick off at 7:00pm with a full slate of events.
Saturday, the slack events will begin at 9:00am (free admission) with the Final Rodeo competition starting at 7:00pm.
Spectators will see a full slate of Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc riding, Tie Down roping, Team Roping, Goat Tying, Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping, and Bull Riding. Athletes will be competing for a chance to earn a trip to the College National Finals Rodeo held in Casper, Wyoming in June each year.
The NTCC Athletic Training Program will has put together a great Sports Medicine team to take care of the athletes this weekend. In addition to the NTCC Athletic Trainer and students, NTCC EMS Students will be on hand, Titus Regional EMS will provide transport capabilities, Dr. Michael Pappas of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Titus will be there for the athletes, and several other Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainers from East Texas that have many years of Rodeo experience will be there donating their time.
Admission to the main Rodeo events will be $10.00 for ages 11 and up and 10 and under $5.00 admission. Concessions will be available daily from Mount Pleasant Burger and Fries.
