RodeoHouston Inducted into ProRodeo Hall of Fame

By Kate Bradley, RodeoHouston
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008

JULY 14, 2008 - Houston - The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association honored RodeoHouston Saturday, July 12, with induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO.

RodeoHouston was one of 16 rodeos inducted this year, along with eight individuals and one bucking horse. This is the first year the PRCA has honored rodeo committees.

Each year, the hall of fame selection committee selects inductees who have contributed greatly to the sport of rodeo. PRCA previously has honored RodeoHouston as the ProRodeo Indoor Committee of the Year nine times between 1991 and 2004, and named RodeoHouston winner of the Top Rough Stock Remuda of the Year in 2007 for best bucking stock.

RodeoHouston is the richest regular-season PRCA rodeo, and has been instrumental in bringing the sport to new levels of professionalism.

Since the first group was inducted in 1979, 197 individuals and 24 animals, not including the 2008 inductees, have been honored at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

RodeoHouston has played a role in several hall of fame members’ rodeo careers. Gene Autry, inducted in 1979, was the Houston Fat Stock Show’s first star entertainer. Past RodeoHouston rodeo clown Quail Dobbs was inducted in 2002.

World champion and RodeoHouston champion cowboys that are members of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame include: Joe Beaver, inducted in 2000; Tuff Hedeman, 1997; Ty Murray, 2000; and Fred Whitfield, 2004. Bob Tallman, part of the announcing team at RodeoHouston, was inducted in 2004, and longtime RodeoHouston stock coordinator Mike Cervi of Cervi Championship Rodeo was inducted in 2003.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. The 2009 Show runs from March 3 – 22 at Reliant Park. Visit www.rodeohouston.com for more information.