ASU Rodeo Receives Grants for Complex Improvements

The Angelo State University Rodeo Complex has received two grants totaling $150,000 in efforts to help grow the ASU Rodeo program. 

Currently, the ASU Rodeo has received grants from Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust and the Earnest and Dorthy Barrow Foundation. Donating a $100,000 grant, the Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust is a trust held by Crystelle Waggoner, who has a goal of helping humanitarian organizations. The Earnest and Dorthy Barrow Foundation donated $50,000 and is a museum that showcases the historical importance of San Angelo and the Concho Valley.

In April 2023, ASU announced they would begin a rodeo program. In June 2023, an anonymous donor agreed to a $1 million match opportunity, meaning that ASU must raise $1 million in private funding, in order to be matched with another $1 million for a $2 million total. 

ASU contacted these organizations because of their interest in rodeo programs. When contacting organizations for grants, ASU will express the reason for and the importance of the grant. All foundations have different guidelines in which they accept grants and different conditions in which the grant can be used. 

“We hope to attract students and retain students here at Angelo State,” the ASU vice president for external affairs, Jamie Mayer, said. “San Angelo is such a huge rodeo community, it is a great thing to have here.” 

So far, with the two grants and other donations, $225,000 has been raised for the Rodeo Complex. The match opportunity at this moment would be $225,000. The anonymous foundation has given ASU until 2025 to reach the maximum match amount of $1 million. The foundation also put a restriction on the donation to only go towards the Rodeo Complex. 

The rodeo coach, Casey Sisk, helped to identify the needs of the Rodeo Complex and hopes that with the current and future donations, these improvements can be made. There are a total of seven rodeo members, but a total 30 members are foreseen. 

Fundraising is still needed to meet the goal of $1 million by 2025. Those who wish to contribute may do so at angelo.edu/give.