Last week Dean and Bekah Gorsuch visited Eastern Wyoming College where they shared items to be displayed in the Athletic Department trophy case.
Items on display include:
• 2006 National Finals Rodeo steer wrestling average winner saddle
• 2010 National Finals Rodeo jacket – the year that Gorsuch won his second title
• 2008 Cheyenne Frontier Days back number, the year that Gorsuch won the steer wrestling title
• 2006 National Finals Rodeo go round buckle, the first round buckle he ever won at the NFR
• 2000 Central Rocky Mountain Region steer wrestling champion plaque
• Decorative spurs from the 2013 National Finals Rodeo, each contestant is given these.
“As a senior I knew right away that EWC was the place for me,” shared Dean Gorsuch.
“I’m not sure that most people understand how Coach Jake Clark and EWC helped Dean get started and molded him into who he is today,” shared Bekah Gorsuch. “Dean gives so much credit to Eastern Wyoming College and is so thankful he become part of that family. EWC is a small school that has more to offer students than most big schools. Much of what Dean got out of his opportunity at EWC he put into it, taking advantage of any extra help he received before and after regular practice.”
Gorsuch attended EWC in 1998 – 2000 where he completed a program in Welding and Joining Technology.
EWC Rodeo Coach Jake Clark has remained in contact with Gorsuch since his time on campus and is excited about the new display. “We are honored to have the opportunity to display memorabilia and prizes earned by Dean. As a coach, it was a special day for me to meet with Dean and his wife Bekah as they brought in some of his professional and college prizes to display.”
Clark also reflected on having Gorsuch as a member of the Lancer rodeo team. “As a student-athlete, Dean appreciated all of his opportunities here at EWC. He practiced as hard as he could. He utilized the resources provided to the maximum of his ability. He was always the first one at practice and the last one to leave; and that hard work pays off. Dean is a great example of how far one can go when you have the talent, but more importantly, are willing to put in the hard work to make that talent successful.”
“Even before the gold buckles, I have always been proud of Dean because of the person that he is. He is a great ambassador for Eastern Wyoming College Lancer Rodeo and the entire sport of rodeo,” added Clark.
The EWC Athletic Department under the direction of new Athletic Director David Vondy has been working diligently on reaching out to past student-athletes to reconnect. “The EWC Coaches and Booster Club Officers work together to reach out to individuals. Coach Clark and I have visited extensively about the amazing group of EWC rodeo team members who have gone on to accomplish so many great things in life. Naturally, Dean Gorsuch as a two-time PRCA World Champion, came up during many conversations to kick-off our athletic alumni relations.”
“Dean and Bekah have been very gracious in gathering items to put on display at EWC. We are very excited in the EWC Athletic Department to launch this project with such an accomplished and great individual as Dean Gorsuch. Just as amazing as he is as a PRCA rodeo star, he is even a better person and great role model for all of our student-athletes. Dean is a great husband, a great father, and a great family man and we are honored to kick start this initiative with him.”
Vondy also added, “We have been working to expand our alumni relations with the revamping of our Eastern Wyoming College Booster Club and the start of our EWC Homecoming Event. These projects and clips from the ‘Dean & Jake Show’ can be viewed at the Eastern Wyo Boosters Facebook page allows alumni to keep in touch with day-to-day activities. We hope that our events with Dean will help inspire other EWC Alumni to reconnect. We look forward to additional opportunities to reach more alumni in years to come.”
“I am happy to display my saddle and memorabilia at EWC. I hope it shows other students that dreams are within reach,” concluded Gorsuch.
