By Merrill Ellis
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc. (NIRA Alumni) announced today that they will award $30,000 in scholarships to collegiate rodeo athletes at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in 2019.
“To date, this is our largest scholarship contribution in the 27 year history of the NIRA Alumni. We are both excited and proud to make this announcement,” stated Butch Bratsky, NIRA Alumni, Inc. President.
The $30,000 educational support was decided upon at the NIRA Alumni, Inc. Summer Board Meeting which was held at the Ramkota Conference Center in Casper, Wyoming June 14.
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. scholarship program is funded solely by former NIRA champions and NIRA Alumni contributions. Recently, the group awarded $11,500 at the 70th Annual CNFR in Casper. The scholarship recipients were recognized for their rodeo achievements at the CNFR awards ceremony June 16.
Currently, the alumni give two $1,000 scholarships and 19 $500 awards. These scholarships include: the fourth place CNFR men and women’s team, the Stan Harter award, Jerry Beagley rough stock and timed event all around, Jerry Beagley and Martha Josey go-round barrel race winners, the Thurston short go winner in goat tying, and each rookie of the year in all of the eleven NIRA events, plus two all around rookies.
Dick Claycomb, NIRA Alumni board member was appointed as head of the scholarship committee to allocate where the additional $18,500 will be awarded. These new scholarships and the award amount will be announced at the December alumni board meeting in Las Vegas.
NIRA Alumni, Inc. membership and scholarship contributions are the cornerstones of being a NIRA Alumni, Inc. member. The group is a 501 (c) (3) organization.
“We are excited to support students to ensure undergraduates have a positive collegiate rodeo experience,” stated Butch Bratsky, NIRA Alumni, Inc. President.
To contribute to the NIRA Alumni, Inc. one can go online and pay with a credit card https://www.fundraise.com/niraascholarshipfund or send a check to: NIRA Alumni, Inc. 3211 Elys Path San Antonio, Texas 78230. To join the group, go to https://www.fundraise.com/niraalumnimembership or send a check to the same address.
For additional information, email niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091.
