As many of you are aware, the College has made the difficult decision to discontinue rodeo as an official intercollegiate sport. We recognize that this decision has generated questions and strong feelings within our community. I would like to provide additional information about how this decision was reached, what it means for our students, and what it does not mean for the College.
First, this decision does not affect our Agriculture or Forestry programs. Those programs remain strong, continue to experience healthy enrollment, and remain an important part of Three Rivers College’s educational mission.
Likewise, the College farm in Fairdealing will not be sold. The farm was acquired not only to support the rodeo program, but also to serve as a hands-on laboratory for our Agriculture and Forestry students. That educational purpose continues today, including use of the classroom funded through a generous donation from Farm Credit.
The existing partnership with Central Methodist University will also continue. The residence on the farm will be occupied by the head coach of CMU’s rodeo program, and CMU will continue using the facility.
Our highest priority throughout this process has been our students. Every student who committed to Three Rivers to participate in rodeo has been contacted individually and presented with options that allow them to continue pursuing both their education and collegiate rodeo.
Students who remain at Three Rivers may continue competing as individual participants, and the College will honor the commitments made in their letters of intent, including travel support, entry fees, boarding of stock, and use of the farm facilities. Students who wish to compete as members of a collegiate team have been offered a place on Central Methodist University’s rodeo team. CMU has also agreed to provide scholarship assistance so that students’ costs remain equivalent to what they would have been at Three Rivers. Our goal has been to ensure that every student has a path forward without financial disadvantage.
Questions have also been raised regarding how this decision was made. Decisions of this significance are made only after extensive discussion between the administration and the Board of Trustees. Those discussions occurred consistent with the Board’s established governance practices and with the advice of College counsel.
Because coaching positions are annual appointments, implementation of this decision occurred through the annual contract process rather than through a separate Board vote. The former coach was offered a one-month contract to assist students during the transition but chose to decline that opportunity.
The primary reason for discontinuing the rodeo program is that it has consistently been unable to achieve the enrollment levels established when the program was created. From its inception, the program was presented to the Board as one that would be self-sustaining. That expectation has remained unchanged.
Over the past decade, the College has repeatedly invested additional time and resources in an effort to help the program reach that goal. The Board previously elected to continue the program despite it falling short of its enrollment targets, allowing additional time for growth and expanding available scholarship opportunities. The College also supported efforts to increase fundraising and community engagement through collegiate rodeo events.
The program achieved many competitive successes during its history. Three Rivers students qualified for the National Finals on numerous occasions, and one student earned a national championship in bull riding in 2022. We are proud of those accomplishments and grateful to every student, coach, volunteer, donor, and community member who contributed to the program’s success.
Ultimately, however, competitive success alone could not overcome the program’s inability to consistently meet the enrollment benchmarks established when it began. During its existence, the program enrolled 163 student participants, including 93 from Missouri and 43 from the College’s taxing district. While those students represented Three Rivers exceptionally well, overall enrollment never reached the level necessary to make the program self-sustaining under the standards adopted for new programs.
Some have suggested that this decision reflects financial distress at the College. That is not the case. Three Rivers remains financially stable. The issue was not whether the College could continue funding the program for another year, but whether it should continue making an exception to standards that have long applied to new academic and athletic programs alike. Making difficult decisions when programs no longer meet established expectations is part of maintaining the long-term strength and stability of the institution.
We also recognize that many members of our community invested significant time, energy, and resources in supporting the rodeo program. We are sincerely grateful for that commitment. The community’s support helped extend the life of the program and provided valuable opportunities for many students over the past decade.
This decision was not made lightly, nor does it diminish the accomplishments of our rodeo students or those who worked tirelessly on their behalf. Rather, it reflects the College’s responsibility to balance support for individual programs with its broader obligation to remain focused on its educational mission and to steward its resources responsibly.
While we understand that many people are disappointed, after careful consideration the College has concluded that this decision is necessary. Our commitment to Agriculture and Forestry remains strong, and our commitment to helping every current rodeo student continue pursuing both their education and collegiate competition remains unchanged.
Thank you for your continued support of Three Rivers College and our students.
W
