The West Texas A&M University Rodeo Team wrapped up its fall season with multiple Top 10 finishes at the Clarendon College Rodeo on November 17, 2025 — and didn’t slow down for a breath. Just hours after the dust settled in Clarendon, the team announced its biggest fundraiser of the year: a National Finals Rodeo (NFR) Watch Party set for 6:30 p.m. on December 13, 2025, at Bar Z Winery in Canyon, Texas. Tickets? $150 each. A table for 10? $1,000. And yes, that includes two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres, desserts — and a shot at winning a pair of tickets to see Cody Johnson live at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 22, 2026. This isn’t just a party. It’s a lifeline.
Strong Season, Stronger Mission
Cody Joe Bonds, Head Coach of the West Texas A&M University Rodeo Team, didn’t mince words: “This semester has been one of our strongest yet.” With riders ranked in the top 15 across multiple events — and every single team member qualifying for short rounds in every fall rodeo — the program isn’t just surviving. It’s thriving. The team’s performance at Clarendon was the exclamation point, but it wasn’t the only highlight. They also competed in at least two other rodeos in October and early November, though details remain unpublicized. What’s clear? This isn’t luck. It’s discipline. It’s grit. And it’s expensive.College rodeo doesn’t come with NCAA funding. These athletes pay for their own gear, travel, entry fees, and veterinary care for their horses. That’s why the West Texas A&M University Rodeo Team leans so heavily on community support. The NFR Watch Party isn’t just about raising money — it’s about visibility. About letting the Texas Panhandle know their team isn’t just a club. It’s a legacy.
The One West Campaign: More Than a Fundraiser
This event ties directly into the university’s broader vision: WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World, the school’s long-range strategic plan. But behind that plan is the One West comprehensive fundraising campaign — launched publicly in September 2021 with a $125 million goal. They hit that target in just 18 months. Today? Over $175 million raised. And the campaign’s still going, running through 2025. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a commitment. The rodeo team is one of the most visible, emotionally resonant pieces of that campaign. When alumni, ranchers, and local families donate to the watch party, they’re not just buying a night out. They’re investing in the identity of West Texas.
What’s at Stake — and What’s Next
The National Finals Rodeo is the Super Bowl of professional rodeo. Held every December in Las Vegas, it crowns the champions of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. For college riders, watching it isn’t just entertainment — it’s inspiration. The Bar Z Winery event will turn that inspiration into action. Attendees will sip wine, nibble on Texas-style bites, and bid on auction items — including those coveted Cody Johnson concert tickets. The auction alone could bring in tens of thousands. And it’s not just about the money. It’s about community. About showing up.Five more rodeos await in the spring. That means more travel, more horses, more gear, more late-night study sessions after practice. The team’s roster is packed with kids from small towns — Hereford, Pampa, Childress — who’ve spent their whole lives dreaming of this. Now, they need the rest of us to believe in them too.
Why This Matters Beyond the Arena
Rodeo isn’t just about bulls and broncs. It’s about rural identity. It’s about education that’s tied to place. The West Texas A&M University Rodeo Team is one of the few programs in the country that blends elite athletic competition with academic rigor — and does it without a massive athletic department budget. When the team wins, it’s not just a win for the riders. It’s a win for the entire Panhandle. For the local businesses that sponsor them. For the high school rodeo kids who see them as role models. For the generations who still know the value of a well-trained horse and a steady hand.The watch party is a chance to turn admiration into action. To say, ‘We see you. We support you. We’re not letting you ride alone.’
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of the fundraiser goes directly to the rodeo team?
After covering event costs like venue rental, catering, and auction logistics, an estimated 80-85% of net proceeds from the NFR Watch Party will fund the team’s operational budget. That includes travel expenses to five upcoming spring rodeos, horse care, equipment upgrades, and entry fees — costs that average $12,000 per student annually.
Who can attend the NFR Watch Party, and do I need to be a WTAMU alum?
The event is open to the public — no alumni status required. Local ranchers, rodeo fans, and even newcomers to the sport are encouraged to come. The ‘rodeo glam’ dress code (think cowboy boots with sequins, not just jeans and hats) is meant to be fun, not exclusionary. Tickets are available online through the WTAMU auction portal.
Why is the auction featuring Cody Johnson concert tickets?
Cody Johnson, a Texas-born country star and lifelong rodeo fan, represents the perfect bridge between rural culture and mainstream appeal. His Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo concert on March 22, 2026, is one of the most sought-after tickets in the state. Donating these tickets adds major value to the auction and draws in donors who might not otherwise attend a rodeo fundraiser.
How does this fundraiser connect to WTAMU’s long-term goals?
The One West campaign, which has raised over $175 million, aims to strengthen programs tied to West Texas identity. The rodeo team is a flagship example — it draws national attention, recruits students from rural communities, and reinforces the university’s role as a cultural anchor in the Panhandle. Every dollar raised helps sustain that mission.
What happens if the team doesn’t meet its fundraising goal?
The team’s spring schedule is locked in, and travel costs are non-negotiable. If fundraising falls short, the university will redirect funds from other areas of the One West campaign, but that puts pressure on other programs. The goal is to make this fundraiser self-sustaining — so the team never has to choose between competing and caring for their horses.
Where can I buy tickets, and is there a deadline?
Tickets are available now at wtamu.schoolauction.net/nfrwatchparty25/homepages/show. While there’s no hard cutoff, organizers urge purchases by December 1 to ensure seating and catering accuracy. Tables of 10 are limited to 15 total — and several are already sold.
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