College Rodeo loses big-time sponsor

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco has, for many years, supported college rodeo and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for scholarships for rodeo athletes. Unfortunately, they have decided to no longer be a sponsor of college rodeo. The new owners of the company (Altria) decided to no longer support the PRCA and pro rodeo. There are negotiations along the way to try and get continued support, but after January 2010, that money will no longer be available. USSTC has promised to provide scholarship money for the 2010 College Finals in Casper, WY, but that may be the last time the finals has such a generous supporter. The NIRA has recruited Copper Springs Ranch and the United States Team Roping Association as new sponsors, but they are going to have some big shoes to fill after all the support that USSTC has offered since they first began sponsoring rodeo in 1974.