story by Sharon Adams
David Browder riding at the 1994 CNFR – JJJ photo
“Everything I have I owe to college rodeo.” That might be a bit of an exaggeration but it is true that David Browder has been around college rodeo for a while as a contestant, coach and now Central Rocky Mountain Regional Faculty President. He credits a lifetime involvement with rodeo, starting with Little Britches, through High School Rodeo, college rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, with getting him to where he is today.
David Browder grew up around rodeo and livestock in the Sand Hills of Nebraska. He calls Gordon, Nebraska, his hometown. That is where he took part in 4-H and livestock judging, and got started in Little Britches Rodeo. With a veterinarian dad and a mentor like bareback rider Bill Mooney, it was only natural that David would continue on into high school rodeo. Other folks he looked up to were bullfighter Miles Hare, and World Champion Steer Wrestler Ote Berry. While moving around in his teen years, he competed in High School Rodeo in three states, South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas. He was the state champion bareback rider in both Iowa and Kansas.
His college career covered a little territory too. He attended Ft Scott Community College in Kansas for two years earning an AA degree in science. While at Ft. Scott, his rodeo coach was John Luthi, now the coach at the University of Tennessee, Martin. The next year he was a student at Ft. Hays State University, also in Kansas. Dr. Garry Brower, who led the rodeo program at Ft. Hays for 25 years, was an example as coach and mentor, encouraging him to continue both school and rodeo. He completed his education at Southwest Oklahoma State University under Coach Dr. Don Mitchell.
With a Bachelors degree, David started a career as an Industrial Arts teacher but his heart was with rodeo. In 1998 he started the rodeo program at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He spent eight years as rodeo coach at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales before moving to his current position as coach at Laramie County Community College in Wyoming. He has headed the rodeo program at LCCC since 2008. The students at LCCC are right in the heart of college rodeo country, making travelling to compete convenient. They have both an indoor and outdoor arena and livestock available for practice.
Family means a lot to David. His parents and sister still live in Gordon, Nebraska while Browder and his wife Tiffany live near Carpenter, Wyoming. They log many hours at junior high school rodeos where her son Blair competes in the timed events. Her daughter is a barrel racer in the LCCC program and competed at the High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
“I consider myself privileged to have been associated with the NIRA for the past twenty years. I have met so many people from students and parents to secretaries, stock contractors and fellow coaches who have helped me to shape my career as a coach. The people that you meet are definitely the best part of rodeo. I think the NIRA Alumni and its foundation are important to keep the sport of college rodeo alive and prospering! Their time and efforts when it comes to scholarships for our student athletes are very much appreciated! Please consider contributing to this great organization!” Browder said.
