story by Merrill Ellis
If you were a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Champion or qualifier in any year ending with an “8” then you need to make plans to attend the 27th annual NIRA Alumni, Inc. Reunion June 15 and 16 in Casper, Wyoming.
The reunion is held in conjunction with the final two performances of the College National Finals Rodeo which takes places in the Casper Events Center. For a complete list of champions, go to http://www.collegerodeo.com/downloads/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page stating Previous National Champions.
You have plenty of time to start finding those NIRA championship photos, memorabilia and of course recreating those popular re-ride stories. Each Thursday the NIRA Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/niraainfo/ features a Throw Back Thursday (TBT) NIRA Champion from the years ending in an eight.
Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center will be the host hotel for the 27th annual event. Friday, June 15 NIRA Alumni, Inc. reunion schedule will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3:30. A reception for all alumni will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. All alumni honorees will be recognized in the arena at the Friday night performance of the CNFR. On Saturday, June 16 NIRA Alumni are invited to attend the NIRA Foundation Luncheon and Auction at 11:30 a.m. At 7 p.m, the top collegiate cowboys and cowgirls will compete in the final performance of the CNFR at the Casper Events Center
To make hotel reservations, please call the Ramkota 1-844-224-1315 or 1-307-266-6000 and indicate that you are with the NIRA Alumni for a special room rate. For CNFR Rodeo Tickets, call 1-800-442-2256 after April 1, 2018 and ask for the NIRA Alumni Section. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST)
For additional NIRA Alumni, Inc. Reunion Information and to let us know you are attending- please visit our Facebook Page or website http://www.collegerodeo.com/resources/alumni/, email: niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091.
