Chad Carlson Memorial

Chad Carlson Memorial - Cowboys Against Drunk Driver

Each year more rodeo contestants are killed by drunk drivers and those under the influence of other drugs than die from injuries in the arena. In recent years driving home in the early morning hours from an event has become more dangerous than getting on a 2000 pound bull! After the loss of Rodeo Attitude member, Chad Carlson, Rodeo Attitude along with his family decided to initiate a special program in his memory. The goal of the program, Chad Carlson Memorial - Cowboys Against Drunk Drivers is to raise awareness of the dangers of driving drunk. Over the last four years hundreds of Chad 2000 stickers have been distributed and placed on vehicles. These stickers serve as a reminder to think before you drink and drive. Our members are encouraged to spread this message especially to the youth that they meet down the rodeo road and while making personal appearances.

The organization Mothers Against Drunk Drivers has a poem that says so much:
MADD's POEM

Chad's Story

On September 17, 2000, while returning home from what had been a very successful finale to the 2000 Extreme Bullriding Tour in the wee hours of the morning Waylon Perry and Chad Carlson were struck by a drunk driver. As Waylon pulled himself from the wreckage and looking for Chad who had been thrown from the vehicle the drunk driver left. The picture below was taken just hours before the fatal accident. A joyous evening with friends celebrating a sport they all loved had ended in tragedy and none of us would ever be the same.

Rodeo Attitude with the permission of Todd Crase of White Buffalo Productions redesigned his logo into the now famous Chad 2000 decal. Several of these were placed on cars at the funeral in honor of Chad.

Never Forgotten

Tammy Crase, Craig 'Cappy' Mally - Chad Carlson - Jason Sandy - Todd Crase

On March 5th, 2001, while family and friends watched a judge sentenced the driver who cut Chad's stay here on Earth short to 25 years in jail. After the trial adjourned several family and friends went to the site of the accident and erected a memorial marker. Although their was some relief in the judges decision and the placing of the marker there was a deep feeling we all wanted to do more. Something that would honor Chad's life and give some sort of meaning to his tragic death. Rodeo Attitude offered to continue the distribution of the Chad 2000 stickers not just to Chad's family and friends but to all who wanted to remind the world of the consequences of driving drunk. It would be a symbol of Cowboys Against Drunk Drivers.

Chad Carlson Award

Chad was the vice-president and a strong supporter of Snow Bull, the annual bull riding held in Burlington, Iowa featuring the Extreme Bullriding Tour presented by Rodeo Attitude. In 2001 the Snow Bull committee began honoring one person with the Chad Carlson Memorial Award for their contribution to the sport Chad loved so much. With the help of Rodeo Attitude vice president and owner of White Buffalo Productions, Todd Crase, this award has been continued. To date this award has been presented to:

2009 Abby McDonald - Miss Extreme Princess - Raised $10,000 for Breast Cancer Research in 2 years.

2008 No event held

2007 Eric Stucker - Snow Bull committee member

2006 Jimmy Twedt - Bullrider

2005 Shawn "Boom Boom" Thompson - Rodeo clown and cancer survivor

2004 Tom Walls - Snow Bull committee member

2003 Tiny Ray - Announcer

2002 Craig "Cappy" Mally - Cowboy Poet

2002 Waylon Perry - Perry's Pyros

2001 - R. Todd Crase - Owner White Buffalo Productions

To order a Chad 2000 sticker send $5.00 to:

Rodeo Attitude

15360 NE 96th Street

Maxwell, Iowa 50161

Remember more rodeo contestants are killed by drunk drivers (or under the influence of drugs) than by injuries in the arena!