Cal Poly Humboldt press release:

Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods are excited to announce the launch of a new men’s and women’s rodeo program, set to launch in Fall 2024. This innovative collaboration will provide students exceptional opportunities to engage in rodeo activities while pursuing their degree at both institutions.

CR’s rodeo program will begin as a club sport with plans to transition to a full intercollegiate athletic team. The rodeo program at Cal Poly Humboldt will launch as a competitive sports club. In preparation for the program’s debuts, both CR and Cal Poly Humboldt plan to search for rodeo coaches and leaders. These coaches will play a pivotal role in training and mentoring student-athletes, as well as overseeing the overall management of the program.

The rodeo programs will benefit from a strategic partnership with Ferndale Fairgrounds, where both teams will practice and call home. These collaborations will provide students with access to top-notch facilities and resources, enriching their training and competitive experiences, while the pathway for students from CR to Humboldt will be seamless. This collaboration will also deepen the partnership between both institutions and the community, while offering significant advantages to local student-athletes. To ensure the financial sustainability of both the men’s and women’s programs, a fundraising initiative has begun and will be expanded.

This rodeo program underscores the broader commitment by CR and Cal Poly Humboldt to expand academic and extracurricular offerings and to provide diverse opportunities to students.

Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson, Jr. says, “Since 2019, our two institutions have been strategizing about the implementation of a rodeo program that provides a home for our local students to compete in a championship environment. That time has come, and we are excited about the future of collegiate rodeo in Humboldt County.”
College of the Redwoods President Keith Flamer is very excited to partner with Cal Poly Humboldt to bring collegiate rodeo to the area:

“I am very proud of our partnership with Cal Poly Humboldt to create these rodeo programs. This collaboration offers a wonderful opportunity to elevate college rodeo in our area and create new pathways for student-athletes to pursue their academic and rodeo dreams.”