A Former Cochise Rodeo Facebook page established in May quickly landed 800 followers, who got right to work identifying and sharing photos and connecting friends. That level of interest told its organizer, college retiree and new Cochise College Foundation board member Dr. Mark von Destinon, that the appetite for rodeo is alive and well, if only the audience could remain engaged.
A former Cochise College registrar, faculty member, and co-sponsor of the rodeo team when it was still a club, von Destinon has a long history in Cochise County and is on the lookout for other ways to re-engage with alumni, former employees and supporters.
Kelly Kimbro, right, interviews 2016-2017 rodeo team competitor Hayley Dalton-Estes on live radio at a Meet the Team event at the Cochise County Fair.
Former Cochise Rodeo followers were invited to a Meet the Rodeo Team event at the 2016 Cochise County Fair, where volunteers John Maisch and Kelly and MacKenzie Kimbro interviewed team members on live radio, organized team photos, made valuable introductions, and helped distribute Tshirts, buttons and bumper stickers, along with homemade cookies.
Von Destinon also recently met with former rodeo coach Beth Hughes in Sierra Vista and traveled to Texas with former rodeo club advisor Dr. Mary Lee Shelden to visit retired coach Frank Adams in August. College rodeo is supporting 2016 Rex Allen Days (website) with appearances at the parade and at the Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame (website), where retired coach Don Kimble will be inducted.
The idea behind the renewed energy surrounding rodeo is two-fold. First, the college wishes to garner support for one of Cochise County’s best-kept secrets – its rodeo team. Coached by Rick and Lynn Smith, the Cochise College women’s team finished the 2015-2016 season eighth in the nation, with the third- and seventh-ranked goat tiers. The men’s team, which won its first rodeo of 2016-2017 a few weeks ago, finished last year with the 14th-ranked team roper and saddle bronc rider.
Another motive is to organize a group that is dedicated to preserving the Western way of life, in a sense preserving enthusiasm for all of the things that surround the sport of rodeo. That includes cattle operations and other farming and livestock management and related industries, in which Cochise County has a long history, and which appeal to travelers from across the globe.
Like many community colleges, Cochise’s communication with alumni has been sporadic. If the rodeo outreach project works, the concept could expand to other academic and athletic programs that unite a tight-knit group of participants and families while the students are enrolled, and which also often transfer students to universities. The effort is somewhat dependent upon volunteers, and if the alumni who reconnect with the college on their own are any example, former students tend to have very positive memories of their time at Cochise.
The next activity of the Former Cochise Rodeo group is a visit with Frank and Barbara Adams on October 9. Frank was the college agriculture instructor and rodeo coach from 1978 to 1994. Barbara was the nurse on the Douglas Campus from 1981 to 1998. They now live in Texas. Friends and former students are invited to visit with them at a no-host brunch in the Douglas Campus cafeteria from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, October 9. The cost is $7 per person. In addition, Cochise College’s second home rodeo of the year is expected to take place March 4-5, 2017, at Wren Arena on Fort Huachuca.
In the meantime, fans and alumni can show their support by:
- Purchasing Cochise College Rodeo T-shirts, buttons and bumper stickers (see below). Shirts (S, M, L, XL) cost $13 if they are mailed and $10 if purchased at an event or at the Cochise College Foundation office at the Douglas Campus. Buttons and bumper stickers cost $1.50 by mail and $1 in person.
- Emailing alumni@cochise.edu to RSVP for the Oct. 9 brunch with Frank and Barbara Adams
- Joining Former Cochise Rodeo on Facebook
- Planning to attend the March 4-5, 2017 Cochise College rodeo on Fort Huachuca
Contact the Cochise College Foundation at (520) 417-4735 for more information.
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