By Tanner Anderson, Page Editor

Tyler Allen might have resembled a rodeo veteran with his work gloves and dusty boots, but he actually was a rodeo rookie.

Allen, sophomore chemistry major from San Antonio, played the cowboy role with numerous other students Tuesday at the ACU Rodeo.

For many students the annual ACU Rodeo is an opportunity to shed the city slicker image, put on a pair of torn wranglers and cowboy boots and get in touch with their southern roots. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, allowing students from the department to attend service trips, conventions and competitions.

“This is our one fundraiser for the year,” said Cason McInturff, junior animal science major from Franklin, Tenn. “This is what allows us to do all of our [activities] and gives us a chance to promote our club and department. We also want to give students an opportunity to do something they usually don’t get to do.”

The crammed stands exploded with applause, laughter and gasps, while students participated in events like goat dressing, goat milking and steer branding (which involved a non-heated brand).

Jonathan Garner, sophomore management major from Plano, sustained an injury in the cow mugging competition as he tried to force a steer down to the ground with another partner. After the event was over, Garner walked away from the steer with a nose injury and a missing fingernail, and the staff directed him to the EMT employee who was present throughout the evening.

“They took me to the hospital, and the bull fractured my nasal passage,” Garner said. “Other than that it wasn’t that big of a deal; I was only [at the hospital] for a couple of hours and I was released at 11 p.m.”

Garner said although he does not compete in these events often he has had previous experience and was not surprised by his injuries.

“I would like to commend the rodeo staff and the EMT for being prepared and ready,” he said.

The Queen award was presented to Kate Norris, senior exercise science major from Kilgore, and the Ruffie award to Ben Reeves, senior marketing major from Abilene.

After the competition, students who were once rodeo rookies were looking forward for another opportunity to saddle up and compete in next year’s rodeo.

“It’s definitely worth the rope burn,” Allen said. “I’m for sure doing it next year.”