Ft. Hays rodeo students benefit from Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo
PHILLIPSBURG, KAN. (March 14, 2016) – Two Ft. Hays (Kan.) State University (FHSU) students have been awarded scholarships courtesy of the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association.
MariKate Crouch, Scott City, Kan., and Matt Rezac, Onaga, Kan., have both received $500 scholarships for their schooling at Ft. Hays State.
Matt Rezac, a sophomore at Ft. Hays State University, heads in the U.S. Team Roping Championship in this photo. He is one of two recipients of a Phillipsburg Rodeo Association scholarship. He is a team roper on the rodeo team and is studying animal science.
Crouch is a sophomore who graduated from Dodge City Community College last December and transferred to FHSU in January. She is studying accounting and will graduate in May of 2018. She is a member of the FHSU Rodeo Team and competes as a breakaway roper and team roper.
Rezac is a sophomore at FHSU majoring in animal science. He is also a member of the Rodeo Team, competing in the team roping as a header but occasionally as a heeler.
Both students participated in youth rodeo, Crouch in Little Britches, junior high and high school and Rezac in high school. Both qualified for the Kansas State High School Finals Rodeo.
Crouch and Rezac work at home when they are on break, Rezac on the family ranch and Crouch for the Scott County Coop Association. The scholarships give them a bit of a financial break for school costs. “Every little bit helps,” Crouch said. “If it wasn’t for people like the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association, I don’t know how any of us would ever afford going to school out of our own pocket. Scholarships are so helpful.”
After graduation, Crouch hopes to work for a CPA practice in a rural community. Rezac will return to the family ranch.
Crouch is the daughter of Lance and Carol Ann Crouch. Rezac is the son of Jay and Stacy Rezac.
Bronc Rumford, the rodeo coach at FHSU, speaks highly of both students. Rezac “is a good horseman,” he said. “He can handle a rope and has a ton of talent.” Crouch, from a rodeo family, “ropes and rides well. She’s always at practice and is always upbeat. They are both very coachable. When you tell them something, they’ll go work on it.
Since 1997, the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association has awarded scholarships to FHSU students who compete in rodeo. The Phillipsburg Rodeo Association is the organization behind Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo, which will be held August 4-6, 2016. For more information on the rodeo, visit www.KansasBiggestRodeo.com.
