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Few college rodeo programs anywhere have the kind of tradition enjoyed by Casper College.

With four national team championships and three more finished in the top three during the past 30 years, Casper College ranks among the most successful programs in the country. Former T-Bird cowboys have gone on to no less than 126 professional titles. This long-standing tradition starts over 50 years ago when Dale Stiles hosted the first Casper College rodeo. At the time, no other junior college had fielded a rodeo team, let alone hosted its own rodeo. Through the years, Stiles would coach some of the sport’s greatest stars, and become a legend himself. Although Stiles retired in 1990 the rodeo he started in 1955 is going strong today. The annual event hosted by Casper College, still carries the name of its founder, the late Dale Stiles.

Today the tradition of Casper College rodeo goes far beyond the names in the record book. Casper College prides itself as the first junior college to sponsor a rodeo, the first junior college to win a team championship, and the first to win four consecutive team titles.

Some Former T-Bird Greats
Kelly Timberman - Bareback Larry Sandvick - Bareback Bryce Miller - Saddle Bronc Chris LeDoux - Bareback Joe Alexander - Bareback	Mike Moore - Bull Riding Dave Brock - Calf Roping Willow Nicholas - Breakaway Roping Lexy Burgduff - Goat Tying Heidi Knapp - Goat Tying

Family:
Married 38 years to wife Linda, two sons Jerrod and Ryan
Education:
Attended Northwest College, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Wyoming
Experience:
College rodeo contestant who later earned his pro card. Taught agriculture at Cody and Torrington High Schools before coming to Casper College in 1990 to teach and coach rodeo. Serves on the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Board of Directors

CC Trail Boss celebrates a championship, and 22 years of coaching

Only somebody who has been down the trail this far can attest to it. Twenty-two years can go by in a big hurry. Most days it is hard for Tom Parker to believe that this is his 22nd year of coaching Casper College rodeo.

He still remembers his first week at the college, where Bill Henry and Kelly Burch greeted him with open arms to a department that already had a reputation for producing champions. Henry was the longtime agriculture chair and Burch was coaching the livestock judging team. "Due to Dale Stiles he had (the rodeo team) to a point that when you talked about rodeo you talked about Casper College agriculture, too."

Parker likes the fact that rodeo is a big part of the college's award-winning agriculture department and vice-versa. He is proud of the close working relationship he has with his fellow instructors. He is also proud to hold the reins of a rodeo program steeped in tradition.

"It has been a great honor," he says. "When you know you have had a small hand in developing young people like Willow (Nicholas), Bryce (Miller) and Kelly (Timberman) and so many more, there is a sense of accomplishment there. I think we have maintained pretty well what Dale built."

Parker offers his patented grin when asked about his coaching duties. "There is always aggravation and disappointment, but 90 percent of those who have come through the door have made it worthwhile and pleasurable. The good has always outweighed the bad."

Parker is one of the deans of college rodeo. He has served on the national board of directors of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. He has served as the arena boss at the College National Finals, and on the host executive team that brought the event to Casper. That means he has played every role in college rodeo – from riding as a contestant for Northwest College and the University of Wyoming, to coaching, to leading national policy efforts.

He knows how to produce a rodeo, that's for sure. Eight times the Ropin' and Riggin' Days Rodeo has been named regional rodeo of the year in the Central Rocky Mountain Region. That is an honor he shares with his team. "I always tell them they have a lot to live up to."

Along with his coaching duties, Parker has always taught a full load of classes in the agriculture department. He still likes the connection he can make with students in the classroom.

Parker's philosophy has always been pretty simple. "I try to teach them how to be winners in the arena and winners in life," he says. "It still takes what it always did – hard work and perseverance and heart."

Parker credits a lot of people for the success of Casper College rodeo. But everybody knows it is Parker who saddles up first.

Bill Landen
Athletic Director

(307) 268-2667

Bill Landen took over as athletic director six years ago, but he is not new to those who have been around Casper College and its athletic programs.

Bill has spent the past 26 years at Casper College. Prior to accepting his current role, Bill served as Director of College Relations for 18 years.

Since his arrival in the athletic department, his focus has been on community and student involvement in the college’s four sports programs. Bill has worked with the T-Bird Booster Club and the Foundation to establish a permanent endowment for athletics. He has also been instrumental in support of the college's rodeo program.

T-Bird fans may recognize Bill from his days as the radio play-by-play voice of the T-Birds in the 1980s and ‘90s. Along with serving as the voice of the T-Birds, Bill spent 18 years in marketing and information for the college. He has earned numerous awards during his professional career, including twice being named Wyoming’s Sportswriter of the Year by the national association of sportswriters and sportscasters. He was named Rosenthal Outstanding Administrator at Casper College in 1997. In 1993 he was honored by his peers as Communicator of the Year by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

Along with his duties at Casper College, Bill serves in the Wyoming Legislature as State Senator for District 27.

Bill’s wife, Robyn, is the Director of Financial Services/Controller for Casper College. They have three children: Nick, Zack and Hailey.

How they score 'em in the NIRA

The team aspect of college rodeo, to some, is what makes the sport even more enjoyable. Not only are the contestants battling for individual event points, but points for their teams as well.

This year, the awarding of points and the benchmarks to qualify for the College National Finals has changed some. The top two men's and women's teams will still represent the Central Rocky Mountain Region at the CNFR. Along with those two full teams, the top three individuals in every event will qualify as well (it used to be the top two).

Additionally, more points will be awarded this season. Instead of awarding points for the top four places, college rodeo is awarding points for placing in the top six (60-50-40-30-20-10).

That means a contestant can potentially earn 60 points in the long go around, 60 points in the short go and 60 in the average, or 180 points total in a rodeo like Ropin' & Riggin' Days.

There is a very good chance you are someone who shares a great love for Wyoming, the western way of life and our wonderful traditions! One of the great traditions in these parts is a renowned Casper College rodeo program that has turned out the likes of Joe Alexander, Dave Brock, Hank Franzen, Heidi Knapp, Willow Nicholas, Larry Sandvick, Bryce Miller and Kelly Timberman. Dating back to the glory days of the 1960s when Casper College won four consecutive national team championships, our red-vested cowboys and cowgirls have brought accolades and positive exposure for Casper and Wyoming. There is no doubt in my mind that our rodeo team is woven into the fabric of Casper College's growth and development.

It is more important than ever that we "spur the horse" if we are to remain competitive nationally in the sport of rodeo. Our first priority needs to be scholarship dollars, so that Coach Tom Parker and the college staff can recruit the best cowboys and cowgirls out there. Reduced state budgets mean there will be no increases in scholarship dollars unless we increase them ourselves – on the private side from people like you and me. This comes at a time of rising board and room costs.

Our second priority will be to continue our efforts to locate and build a practice facility. My dream is to someday be able to fund such a facility privately. Once built, our teams could put in the practice hours necessary to compete for a national championship again. We have been so grateful for the help from the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, but time in The Arena is limited.

Money raised this year will go the Casper College Foundation's T-Bird Rodeo Booster Fund, to be used for these two purposes. I hope we can count on your support. Fill out your pledge card today or write a check to the Casper College Foundation-Rodeo Fund, in care of the athletic department. Let's help send the red vests back to the Events Center every June! Thank you in advance for helping our rodeo team stay competitive.

Associate VP, Athletic Director
Bill Landen

More About the Programs:
Casper College has a national reputation for excellence in many academic programs. Business, music, nursing, art, theater and radiography are among the programs with national accreditations. Casper College is also noted for the strong and varied science programs. Students who complete their academic work at Casper College transfer to universities thought the county. For students not intending to pursue a four-year degree, Casper College offers more the 30 career and technical programs like automotive technology, diesel power, electronics, welding and machine tool technology. These programs are designed to prepare students for the technical workplace.

More About the Campus:
Casper College overlooks the city from the south. Beautiful red-rock terraces surround the campus. The Gertrude Krampert Theatre is a popular attraction for the community. The Goodstein Foundation Library is one of the finest of its kind in the Rocky Mountain Region. There is also a modern student center on campus, three residence halls and a fitness center.