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- About Us
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A tradition of rodeo excellence
Few college rodeo programs anywhere have the kind of tradition enjoyed by Casper College.
 With four national team championships and three more finished in the top three during the past 30 years, Casper College ranks among the most successful programs in the country. Former T-Bird cowboys have gone on to no less than 126 professional titles. This long-standing tradition starts over 50 years ago when Dale Stiles hosted the first Casper College rodeo. At the time, no other junior college had fielded a rodeo team, let alone hosted its own rodeo. Through the years, Stiles would coach some of the sport’s greatest stars, and become a legend himself. Although Stiles retired in 1990 the rodeo he started in 1955 is going strong today. The annual event hosted by Casper College, still carries the name of its founder, the late Dale Stiles.
Today the tradition of Casper College rodeo goes far beyond the names in the record book. Casper College prides itself as the first junior college to sponsor a rodeo, the first junior college to win a team championship, and the first to win four consecutive team titles.
Some Former T-Bird Greats
- Kelly Timberman - Bareback
- Chris LeDoux - Bareback
- Larry Sandvick - Bareback
- Bryce Miller - Saddle Bronc
- Joe Alexander - Bareback
- Mike Moore - Bull Riding
- Dave Brock - Calf Roping
- Willow Nicholas - Breakaway Roping
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 Head Coach Tom Parker
Family:
Married 34 years to wife Linda, two sons Jerrod and Ryan
Education:
Attended Northwest College, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Wyoming
Experience:
College rodeo contestant who later earned his pro card. Taught agriculture at Cody and Torrington High Schools before coming to Casper College in 1990 to teach and coach rodeo. Serves on the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Board of Directors
CC boss loves what he does after 18 years
Ask Tom Parker about coaching rodeo and you’ll still see a twinkle in his eye. He loves what he does.
 Parker has been the corral boss at Casper College for the past 17 years, and says “I’m still lovin’ it.”
“It’s a great profession,” he says. “I enjoy working with the kids, knowing that maybe I can make a difference for them, not just in rodeo but in the classroom and in life.”
Parker says he is proud of the fact that rodeo at Casper College has the kind of tradition it does. It is considered a varsity sport and treated that way by the college’s leadership.
Parker brings a lot of experience to the arena. Ever since he started riding bucking horses in high school, rodeo has been a big part of his life. He competed at Northwest College and later at the University of Wyoming, where he was a student director in the NIRA. Later, he rode professionally before turning his attention full time to teaching and coaching.
Parker will tell you that not much has changed in the sport of rodeo. It still takes the same things as it always did: commitment, perseverance and heart.
Parker has fielded competitive teams every year, including last year’s strong third-place finish in the region for the men’s team. He has taken three teams to the College National Finals and numerous individuals, including Kelly Timberman and Bryce Miller. Many other members of the CC rodeo teams through the years have gone on to success outside the arena.
Parker is the first to give credit to somebody else. “We’ve been fortunate to have great support,” he says, pointing to the CC leadership, the Natrona County Fairgrounds staff and members of the community.
“I’ve always said if coaching was all there was to this, I could do it forever,” he says with a grin.
 Heidi Knapp joined the Casper College staff this season as assistant rodeo coach. She brings with her a wealth of experience and plenty of credentials. She was a three-time College National Finals Rodeo qualifier at Casper College, and qualified again while rodeoing for the University of Wyoming her senior season. A three-time regional champion goat tyer, she also competed in barrel racing and breakaway roping.
She is a cowgirl who knows how to win and has already brought quality instruction and a caring commitment to the practice arena. Heidi is the daughter of Jim and Marsha Knapp of Casper. |
2008-2009
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Head Coach
Tom Parker
Casper College Rodeo Team |
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Assistant Coach
Heidi Knapp
Casper College Rodeo Team |
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Josh Barker
Freshman
Edgemont, S.D.
High School: Edgemont
Parents: Kelvin Barker, Paula Schaack
Major: Welding
Events: Team roping, Tie down roping
Likes riding colts, roping and hunting
(An honor student who letter in football and basketball)
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Troy Bechen
Sophomore
Whitewood, S.D.
High School: Sturgis Brown
Parents: Ann Nonnast, Doug Bechen
Major: Ag business
Event: Bareback
Likes the outdoors, fioshing, golfing, snowmobiling
(A 3-time NHSFR qualifier and top HS wrestler) |
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Treva Bittterman
Freshman
Glenrock
High School: Wheatland
Parents: Elisabeth and Delmer
Major: Pre veterinarian
Event: Barrel Racing
Likes working on the ranch, hanging with friends, going to the lake
(A 3-year officer in FFA; LeDoux Scholarship recipient) |
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Kyra Block
Freshman
Estevan, Saskatchewan
High School: Estevan Comprehensive
Parents: Del and Carol Block
Major: Criminal Justice
Events: Barrel Racing, Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping
Likes riding and rodeo, hanging with friends
(Fluent in French, she hopes to be an attorney someday) |
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Tanner Burgener
Freshman
Douglas
High School: Douglas
Parents: Gary and Janelle Burgener
Major: Ag Business
Event: Bareback
Likes hunting and riding motorcycles
(A 4-year letter winner in wrestling) |
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Cody Collins
Freshman
Buffalo
High School: Buffalo
Parents: Greg and Gail Collins
Major: Animal Science
Events: Team Roping, Tie down Roping
Likes hunting, family and friends and reading
(An FFA student and wrestler in high school) |
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Chance Darling
Freshman
Hyattville
High School: Riverside
Parents: Dean and Kelly Darling
Major: General Agriculture
Event: Saddle Bronc Riding
Likes snowboarding, pretty girls and fine guitars
(Played football for the Rebels) |
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Travis Darling
Sophomore
Ignacio, Colo.
High School: Ignacio
Parents: Mark and Barb Darling
Major: Aviation
Event: Saddle Bronc Riding
Likes riding bucking horses
(Finished in the top 10 at the NHSFR three straight years) |
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Katie Felix
Junior
Lander
High School: Lander Valley
Parents: Sara and John Felix
Major: Elementary Education
Events: Breakaway Roping and Team Roping
Likes roping and spending time with family
(Qualified and won the third round last year at the CNFR) |
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Devan Frey
Sophomore
Hyannis, Neb.
High School: Hyannis
Parents: Robin Jameson and Greg Frey
Major: Business Administration
Events: Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Goat Tying
Likes working with horses and having fun with friends
(Hyannis High’s Athlete of the Year as a senior) |
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Trenton Gibson
Freshman
Lund, Nevada
High School: Lund
Parents: David and Ranae Gibson
Major: Diesel Power
Events: Bull Riding, Bareback Riding
Likes Ford Diesels, John Deere, oversize heavy haul trucking, Harleys
(Lettered in three other sports in high school) |
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Jake Hamilton
Junior
Casper
High School: Natrona
Parents: Steve and Loretta Hamilton
Major: Fire Science/General Agriculture
Events: Tie Down Roping and Team Roping
Likes the outdoors, fishing and golfing
(A silver state qualifier) |
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Quinn Hiser
Freshman
Glenrock
High School: Glenrock
Parents: DeEtte and Tim Hiser
Major: Diesel and Agriculture
Event: Bull Riding
Likes mint chocolate chip ice cream and his 1986 Ford truck
(Wrestled for the Herd in high school) |
| Portrait coming soon. |
O.J. Huxtable
Junior
Douglas
High School: Douglas
Parents: Jim and Dent Huxtable
Major: Construction
Events: Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping
Likes rodeo
(A 2-time NHSFR qualifier) |
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Jamie Kirk
Freshman
Boise, Idaho
High School: Middleton
Parents: Jim and Sue Kirk
Major: Physical Education
Events: Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping
Likes riding and training horses, snowmobiles, watching movies
(A four-time state qualifier and NHSFR contestant) |
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Tyrel Larson
Junior
Fort Pierre, S.D.
High School: Stanley County
Parents: Morgan and Raylene Larson
Major: Ag Business
Events: Team Roping, Steer Wrestling
Likes hunting and fishing and the outdoors
(Qualified for state in three events four years running) |
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Staci Miller
Junior
Gillette
High School: Campbell County
Parents: Doug and Mary Miller
Major: Elementary Education
Events: Breakaway Roping and Team Roping
Likes family and teaching “kidoes”
(A second place finisher in the Silver State International) |
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J.W. Moore
Junior
Banner
High School: Buffalo
Parents: Brent and Lisa Moore
Major: General Agriculture
Events: Saddle Bronc Riding
(A NHSFR qualifier) |
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Kris Newman
Sophomore
Casper
High School: Kelly Walsh
Parents: Brett and Cherri Newman
Major: Secondary Education
Event: Bull Riding
Likes hunting, fishing and ranching
(A NHSFR qualifier) |
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Theresa Podio
Sophomore
Newcastle
High School: Newcastle
Parents: Joe and Donna Podio
Major: Pre Occupational Therapy
Events: Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping
Likes training horses and snowmobiling
(A NHS and FFA student; also played hoops for the Dogies) |
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Courtney Quigley
Freshman
Avon, Mont.
High School: Powell County
Parents: Brian and Heather Quigley
Major: General Studies
Events: Breakaway Roping and Goat Tying
Likes home, playing basketball, working on the ranch and “chillaxing”
(An academic all stater two years running) |
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Amanda Rino
Freshman
Byers, Colo.
High School: Byers
Parents: Chris and Chris Rino
Major: Ag Business/Nursing
Events: Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping
Likes watching movies, hanging with friends and riding
(A varsity volleyball and basketball standout) |
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Chris Robinett
Junior
Powder River
High School: Natrona County
Parents: Keith and Millie Robinett
Major: General Agriculture
Events: Steer Wrestling, Team Roping
Likes working on the ranch and rodeoing |
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Jim Roedeske
Junior
Cartwright, N.D.
High School: Watford City
Parents: Fred and Laurie Roedeske
Major: Ag Business
Events: Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, Steer Westling
(A 3-time NHSFR qualifier) |
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Megan Schrock
Sophomore
Farson
High School: Eden-Farson
Parents: Melba and Jody
Major: Nursing
Events: Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping
Likes roping, roping, roping and spending time with family
(A NHSFR champion in the breakaway roping) |
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Kiley Scott
Sophomore
Douglas
High School: Douglas
Parents: Troy and Katie Scott
Major: Ag Business
Events: Barrel Racing, Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping
Likes breaking colts and working on the ranch
(Played on a girls hockey team in high school) |
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Clay Smith
Sophomore
Lusk
High School: Niobrara County
Parents: Reed and Denise
Major: Animal Science
Event: Steer Wrestling
Likes swing dancing, pretty girls and playing ping pong
(A 4-Her and basketball letter winner) |
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Dustin Smith
Sophomore
Burns
High School: Burns
Parents: Greg and Patty Smith
Major: Ag Business
Events: Team Roping, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling
Likes fast cars, rodeo and girls and spending time with family
(Won the second go in the Tie Down Roping last year at the CNFR) |
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Jeff Stull
Junior
Casper
High School: Natrona County
Parents: Gary and Wendi Stull
Major: Ag Business
Events: Bull Riding, Team Roping
Likes hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hanging with friends
(The first Chris LeDoux scholarship winner) |
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Troy Teague
Freshman
Pavillion
High School: Wind River
Parents: Tom and Tori Teague
Major: Accounting
Events: Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping
Likes rodeo, girls and basketball
(All state basketball player for the Cougars) |
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Jeddidiah Wilson
Freshman
Sugar City, Colo.
High School: Crowley County
Parents:
Major:
Event: Bareback Riding
(Lettered in football and basketball at CCHS) |
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| SCHEDULE |
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Sept. 11-13 |
Chadron State College |
Chadron, NE |
Sept. 18-20 |
Central Wyoming College |
Riverton |
| Sept. 25-26 |
Sheridan College |
Sheridan |
| Oct. 2-4 |
Lamar Community College |
Lamar, CO |
| Oct. 16-18 |
Laramie CCC |
Cheyenne |
| Mar. 26-28 |
Eastern Wyoming College |
Torrington |
| April 2-4 |
Colorado State University |
Ft. Collins, CO |
| April 16-18 |
Ropin’ & Riggin’ Days Rodeo |
Casper, WY |
| April 23-25 |
Northeastern Junior College |
Sterling, CO |
| April 30 |
University of Wyoming |
Laramie, WY |
| May 1-2 |
University of Wyoming |
Laramie, WY |
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