The University of South Dakota Rodeo Club

In 1964, the University of South Dakota (USD) student newspaper, the Volante and the Vermillion Plain Talk mentioned USD Rodeo Club activities several times. That March the club signed a contract for livestock for the upcoming fourth annual intercollegiate rodeo held in Vermillion on May 2nd and 3rd. Events those two days included a parade, a rodeo competition, and a dance. Colleges from North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas participated. Highlighting the event was Charley James, a trick rider, roper, singer, and actor. Club member Debbie Beaty from Vermillion was crowned the rodeo queen. The USD Rodeo team placed second.

Another 1964 Volante article stated that the USD Rodeo Club had such a good reputation that Jerry Olmstead, a standout rodeo performer from the University of North Dakota transferred to USD. Olmstead went on to successfully compete in several USD Rodeo Club events over the next two years. Later that summer USD rodeo teams competed in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Finals in Douglas, Wyoming. According to the 1965 Coyote yearbook, the USD participants “placed well”. The paragraph went on to state “There is no doubt that the club’s aim of promoting South Dakota’s western tradition on the USD campus has been achieved.”

From June 30-July 2,1966, the USD Rodeo Club hosted the World Championship Intercollegiate Rodeo with hundreds of participants competing from colleges throughout the country. To get in the spirit even the Vermillion police were dressed as cowboys! The USD Rodeo club was a prominent student organization from 1960 until 1976. The club members’ excellent performances brought USD, local, state, and national recognition.

Some 1964 USD Rodeo Club members. Jerry Olmstead is holding the second-place trophy. (USD Archives and Special Collections, 1965 Coyote yearbook)