NAU rodeo team to go out in style
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Weston Garrett
NAU’s Weston Garrett scores a 75 point ride aboard RR #451 during the NAU Maverick Stampede NIRA Rodeo held at the Hart Ranch, Rapid City, SD, April 26-27.
JJJ Photo
Starla Lyon
May 5, 2008
An underlying sense of sadness could be felt last weekend during the final rodeo hosted by the prominent National American University (NAU) rodeo team. Competitors from the other schools in the Great Plains Region felt as though they should tread lightly on the ground on which they rode. For many years, competitors and coaches from throughout the Great Plains region and the Intercollegiate rodeo world have respected the NAU rodeo program and it’s members. They all looked forward to some of the toughest competition Intercollegiate Rodeo has to offer when coming to compete at the NAU rodeo.
In the true spirit of the team they are today and the members they represent from the past, however, the NAU team proved that they are here to stay for the rest of this season and plan to stick to their guns through the College National Finals in every way, shape and form. With grace, style, and determination, the team proved they are as motivated now as they’ve ever been, despite learning recently that their rodeo program has been discontinued.
“We were informed of this and decided that the administration who made this decision should be the ones who broke the news to the kids,” said NAU Rodeo Coach Glen Lammers. “We knew it would be hard on all of them, but as coaches we were committed to be there for them to help overcome this obstacle. It was amazing to see how bad these kids wanted to fight for their program.”
A meeting was held in a class room at the Equine Center in Rapid City, SD. There, the students learned of the demise of their beloved rodeo program and the questions began to pour out. Many who have yet to continue with their education wondered what they would do and where they would go from there.
“It’s a sad thing,” said NAU Rough Stock Coach Eudell Larsen. “There are so many thoughts and emotions – it’s hard to put it all into words.”
The school Administration decided to eliminate the entire sports program so as to cater more to the non-traditional students in alignment with the other 15 branches of the institution, according to Lammers. In doing so, the rodeo team as well as the volleyball team, will be no more.
Both coaches and other contributors to the rodeo team throughout the years were recognized at last weekend’s rodeo. The team somehow managed to surprise the coaches with a presentation and speeches.
“We recognized them during the rodeo and wanted to let them know what a great job they’ve done,” said Amy Holmes, NAU rodeo team member. “My brother went to school here and I can remember Glen helping me and giving me pointers. Even if you compete for another school, he’s there to help. That’s just the kind of guy he is. My mom used to send thank you cards to both Eudell and Glen because of how they helped me and my brother.”
Holmes, of Oregon, WI, will always cherish her time spent at NAU. The business major is currently in her junior year and plans to go on to another school next year and continue to rodeo.
“They managed to surprise us by recognizing us at the rodeo and presented us with some really neat things,” said Lammers. “That was quite an emotional deal.”
Another Wisconsin native, Nick Guy, brought the crowd to the edge of their seats during the Black Hills State University rodeo at Seven Down Arena. While the NAU men’s team currently leads the regional standings, Guy holds the first position in the steer wrestling and proved he has the true grit it takes to be a top notch competitor.
“I broke my left scapula in the bull dogging,” he said nonchalantly. “I also had to have eight stitches in my forehead. They taped my arm to my body and sewed me up and I was able to get back out there to team rope. We ended up winning the team roping that day. Now I plan to just take it easy and really take care of it so I’m ready for the College National Finals here in about six weeks.”
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Nick Guy
NAU team roper Nick Guy competed, and won, the 2008 Yellow Jacket Stampede NIRA Rodeo despite a wrapped left arm and other injuries. He partnered with Adam Mueller to win the team roping event.
JJJ Photo
With 13 years of hard work for NAU, both coaches shared the same sentiment in that the whole experience has been about the youth they have worked with throughout the years.
“The kids will go on,” Larsen said. “Most know what they are going to do and where they will go from here. The fact that I lost my job is completely overshadowed by what it all encompasses. The relationships we’ve built with the kids and even their families is what can never be replaced. Many of the kids who’ve passed through our program stay in touch with us to this day and I’m sure that will continue even now.”
With poise and class, Lammers said that he is grateful for the years he’s spent as the NAU coach and has no regrets. He said that the school has agreed to allow the students to continue their classes under rodeo scholarships if they wish to do so.
“Sometimes you just have to view the glass as being half full,” he said. “We’ve been lucky to have had the teams we’ve had. We have been able to get through a lot of obstacles and yet succeed. I’m happy with the fact that while I was here, we had the opportunity to be successful and the school gave us the tools to win.”
The team and coaches are committed to finishing this college rodeo season as a team fueled with the strength of the family they have become. Lammers said he plans to look into other options for the future but both he and Larsen were very clear that for now, they are 100 percent with the NAU team and program.
Both coaches spoke of thinking of their students as family members. Larsen said that both he and his wife, as well as the Lammers’, have hosted students at their homes for holidays when they couldn’t afford to make it back home to be with their own.
“Easter is always a short holiday vacation and sometimes it‘s hard for them to make it back home,” Larsen said. “We’ve had kids come to our house to celebrate with us several times.”
“Perhaps my wife said it best,” Lammers said thoughtfully. “When we found out about this, she said it was like splitting a family apart and sending the kids off to foster care.”
It’s safe to say that the memories forged by the people who’ve taken part in the NAU rodeo program throughout the years will be forever etched in the hearts of everyone involved. With grace and integrity, the people who have made the program what it is, both students and coaches are determined to persevere and look ahead toward a bright future.