WEST PLAINS, Mo. — Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) announced that Grizzly Athletics will host a college rodeo in October 2026, marking a significant milestone for the university’s rodeo program.
The event is scheduled for Oct. 8-10, 2026, at the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds in West Plains.
The rodeo will provide the first opportunity for the community to see the Grizzly Rodeo team compete on its home ground since the program’s launch in spring 2024.
“Members of the communities we serve have been hoping to see our Grizzly Rodeo student-athletes in action since the announcement of the program,” Rachel Peterson, director of athletics, said. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to host a college rodeo that will bring hundreds of contestants and fans to West Plains.”
The Grizzly Rodeo team, established in 2024, will enter its third season of competition in 2026 as part of the Ozark Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).
Head coach Matt Hughes believes hosting a home rodeo is a major step forward for the program’s visibility and growth.
“I am excited to showcase the MSU-WP college rodeo program on our own dirt,” Hughes said. “Between the excitement this will bring for the program and the economic impact that comes with a college rodeo, this will truly be a special event.”
The Ozark Region includes 18 teams and hosts 10 rodeos annually, featuring competitors from both two-year and four-year institutions. Events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, goat tying, barrel racing and breakaway roping.
Regional competitors include Arkansas Tech University, East Mississippi Community College, Missouri Valley College, Murray State University, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Pearl River Community College, Southern Arkansas University, Three Rivers College, the University of Arkansas-Monticello, University of Tennessee-Martin and the University of West Alabama.
Russ Gant, a Grizzly Club Board member, emphasized the collaborative effort behind bringing the rodeo to West Plains and its long-term potential.
“We are excited to bring a college rodeo to our area,” Gant said. “With the partnership between Missouri State-West Plains, the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds and the city of West Plains, particularly its tourism department, we believe we can build this to be an exciting event to last many years.”
The opportunity to host the rodeo reflects the rapid progress of the program and its presence in collegiate rodeo.
“We are proud to have the opportunity to host a college rodeo,” Mulligan said. “It is a sign of how quickly our coaching staff and student-athletes have established themselves. We look forward to seeing our students compete and welcoming visitors from across the region.”
