FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2014
Contact: Kelsey Johnson
Marketing/PR Coordinator
kelsey@rfdtv.com
(402) 614-2563
Susan Kanode
CNFR Media Coordinator
susan@cowgirlimaging.com
(817) 307-6336
Exemptions to RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals to be awarded to 2014 College National Finals Rodeo Champions
OMAHA, Neb. (June 9, 2014) — RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Presented by Polaris RANGER made history in 2014 and will continue to do so by involving the rising stars of rodeo. RFD-TV is proud to announce that exemptions into the Semifinals for 2015 will be awarded to the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s (NIRA) 7 traditional event champions.
“One of our biggest goals is to bring more youth into the sport and having the best college athletes at RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals will add another element to the competition,” said Randy Bernard, President and CEO of Rural Media Group. “We are committed to bettering western sports and creating a brighter and higher-paying future for the stars of tomorrow.”
The 66th annual College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) will be held June 15-21 at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyoming. The NIRA has 132 member schools divided into 11 regions across the country and brings over 400 rodeo athletes to the CNFR each summer. The top three individual athletes from each event and the top two men’s and women’s teams from each region qualifies for the finals. At stake are national championships, scholarships and now a chance to compete for part of a $2 million purse.
“The NIRA puts a lot of emphasis on education and allows students to pursue their passion while attending a college or university,” said NIRA Commissioner Roger Walters. “We’ve had a lot of success stories come out of college rodeo, both in and out of the arena. This gives us a chance to add to those success stories and showcase our student athletes. We are very excited to be involved with RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN.”
RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Bareback Champion and Tarleton State University junior Richmond Champion qualified for the CNFR by finishing first in the Southwest Region standings. This is his second CNFR qualification and he will be the first “Million Dollar Cowboy” to compete at the CNFR.
On May 21, RFD-TV announced the second RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Presented by Polaris RANGER will take place on March 1, 2015 and the National High School Rodeo Association champions of the 7 traditional events will also be awarded exemptions into RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals.
Tickets for RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Presented by Polaris RANGER range in price from $20 to $150. Tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
###
Notes to Editor:
About RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Presented by Polaris RANGER: For the second year RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN will be held at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on March 1, 2015. RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Presented by Polaris RANGER is the world’s largest and richest one-day rodeo. With an impressive payout of $2 million, the best rodeo athletes in the world gather at AT&T Stadium to compete in one epic day of raw rodeo will, skill and power. RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN crowned the first million dollar cowboy when then 21-year old Richmond Champion was the only qualifier to win his event and was awarded $1.1 million. RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN is a unique event in which athletes from every level have a chance to compete for the unmatched payout. The road to THE AMERICAN and Cowboy’s AT&T Stadium has 3 routes. Automatic invitations to the best in the world, exemptions awarded to legends of the sport and qualifiers who must compete at RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals. With the help of broadcast partners and sponsors, RFD-TV will broadcast the event LIVE to bring viewers at home all the close up and behind the scenes action. Visit wwwamericanrodeo.com for more information and follow RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RFDTVTheAMERICAN Twitter: @RFDTVAmerican Instagram: http://instagram.com/rfdtvamerican
?