8 seconds is how long a cowboy needs to stay on a bucking horse to make a qualified ride and 8 SECONDS is also the slogan for an alcohol awareness program started in Nebraska and now endorsed by the National High School Rodeo Association.

The 8 SECONDS program was conceived by Coy Sheets and his family of Hyannis Nebraska after a drinking and driving accident struck close to home. Last May, Coy then a freshman in high school, approached his local rodeo club with the idea and a program was born.

The slogan, “It takes only 8 SECONDS to stop and think-don’t drink” was put on a banner that was paid for by the Hyannis Rodeo Club. The club also had hat stickers made with the program’s logo. The banner which also says, “Make a qualified ride, don’t drink and drive” was hung at Nebraska high school rodeos across the state and participants who signed a pledge promising not to drink and drive were given the stickers.

After seeing the success the program received in Nebraska, Coy and his family approached the National High School Rodeo Association about the possibility of them taking the program under their wing. According to NHSRA Marketing Director Mitch Miller, “The NHSRA Board of Directors enthusiastically chose to adopt the 8 SECONDS youth alcohol awareness program started in Nebraska because it fits so well into the NHSRA’s mission statement. Alcohol abuse by teenagers is a huge problem in today’s society. As an education organization first and foremost, the NHSRA sees the sport of rodeo and the NHSRA’s international scope, as the ideal combination to help carry the 8 SECONDS message to the largest possible rural, youth audience.”

Sheets was thrilled that the association would adopt his concept and in July at the National High School Finals rodeo held in Farmington New Mexico he saw his dream become a reality. An 8 SECONDS banner was in place at the bucking chutes and public service announcements were read throughout the rodeo. While at the finals, Coy, along with his older brother Tucker, recorded 8 SECONDS public service announcements which will air on the Outdoor Channel Network during every high school rodeo shown. “I can’t believe it went national so soon,” commented Sheets. “We can reach a lot more kids this way and I really hope it makes a difference.”

NHSRA Marketing Director Mitch Miller is excited as well for the future of the program, “We plan to promote the 8 SECONDS message through the reach of the NHSRA’s telecast series on the Outdoor Channel Network, which is viewed by more than 100,000 households weekly. The NHSRA also plans to purchase and distribute 8 SECONDS promotional materials such as t-shirts, hat stickers, and posters, etc. The NHSRA plans to secure a national celebrity spokesperson for the program and create and distribute radio PSA’s promoting the message. In addition, the plan is to mail 8 SECONDS pledge forms to NHSRA members and establish a national scholarship program. The long-term goal is to let 8 SECONDS evolve into a national school assembly program consisting of a multi-media format combined with the personal testimonies of those effected by this very serious national problem. To accomplish this objective, the NHSRA is seeking financial support for the program through foundations, corporate sponsorship, and private donations. Anyone seeking to help the NHSRA with the creation of the 8 SECONDS program can call the NHSRA national office at 800-466-4772 or by email at info@nhsra.org.

Sheets will continue the “8 SECONDS” program in the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association with the help of his state and local rodeo clubs. “It’s too bad it takes something bad to make us do something good,” he said. “But I am glad that everyone is so supportive of the idea.”