Albuquerque will salute its Wild West roots when UNM sponsors the second annual Intercollegiate Rodeo at the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Posse Arena.
Fifteen teams and about 250 students will participate, including New Mexico State University, the University of Arizona, Central Arizona Community College and Northern Arizona University.
Last season, the Lobos organized the first UNM Intercollegiate Rodeo and Flavian Tabaha, president of the UNM Rodeo Association, said he hopes this year's event is just as impressive.
"Last year was very successful," Tabaha said. "In order for us to improve the event, we would appreciate more support from the students and the school itself."
The UNM rodeo team consists of 15 members, but only four are full-time participants. The four students are freshmen Brandon Bates, Jed Moser, Tasa Stromei and senior Robbie Whitehair.
Bates competes in the steer-wrestling event, while Moser participates in bull riding. Stromei is involved in barrel racing and goat tying, and Whitehair's specialty is breakaway roping.
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"This is my very first semester of rodeo in my life," Moser said. "I am hoping to make it to the regionals in Hobbs, and I am also trying to make the nationals in Wyoming."
Tabaha said the event cost nearly $5,000 to organize, and the UNM Rodeo Association, which is not funded by the University, did its own fund-raising. He added that the association works with sponsors and community members to help with the costs.
The event offers a unique opportunity for UNM sports fans to catch a glimpse of something rarely associated with collegiate athletics.
"The rodeo is fun because there will be a lot of unrehearsed action," Tabaha said.
The action begins Friday with a pre-rodeo event at 6 p.m. This will include benefit events such as calf roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping. The rodeo performances will start Saturday. The event offers three shows, which start at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Tickets for the rodeo cost $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and students. Kids under 6 years old enter free.
