Troy State University supporters proved they can make things happen this year when they raised enough money to bring a rodeo team to the school.

The team, which takes the field this fall, is born from what Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins called "a real demand from potential students in our primary service area."

Following the demand, school officials and supporters were able to do something about that demand. Through fund-raisers, pledges and more than a little hard work, they managed to secure funding guarantees necessary to operate the program.

The TSU chancellor emphasized that the rodeo team would not have been possible without the "groundswell" of support from the university, the Troy and Pike County communities, TSU alumni and friends.

And he’s right. That groundswell of support helped created, and fund, a rodeo team that was born from desire to provide college athletic opportunities for athletes outside the traditional programs of football, baseball and basketball. And rodeo is a growing sport, one in which the Trojans will compete well.

We congratulate all those who worked so hard to bring the TSU rodeo team to reality, and we look forward to many years of good competition ahead.  

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