LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Funding cuts hit UNLV earlier this year, and members of the university’s rodeo team feared it was the end for them. In August, they shared the heartbreaking news on their social media account, announcing the team would be shutting down after decades.
However, some students and volunteers came up with a creative way to continue. The former athletic program, although losing funding, found new life as a student-run club.
“If you guys want to put your heart and soul into it, I will too. I will take it serious, and we’ll do it,” team captain Taylor Brunson said.
The difference between a club and an athletic program comes down to logistics, such as money and leadership. With a club, the students hold more responsibility, for instance, organizing events. They are also responsible for raising their own funds. Meanwhile, an athletic program is school-sponsored.
Couple Cody and Jayme Burnside knew members of the student team, as they supported some of their rodeo events in Mesquite. The couple stepped up to help the students when they learned of the cuts. The Burnsides have become the team’s new volunteer coaches.
“We felt for them, we made friends with them, and when we were in college, we would’ve hoped somebody would’ve stepped up and allowed us to have a chance rodeo the rest of our time,” Cody Burnside said.
“It’s very important to us to be able to provide that opportunity for more kids, and just continue on the tradition and legacy of the western way of life,” Jayme Waggoner Burnside added.
The new coaches created the Rebel Rodeo Foundation, a non-profit organization overseeing their team that offers support through fundraising and sponsorships.
Students on the rodeo team tell 8 News Now they are excited about the new era and all the changes that come along with it.