University, Nevada at Las Vegas Rodeo

Event info: Annual Wrangler NFR ticket raffle
Each night of the Wrangler NFR, the UNLV rodeo team is set up at Thomas & Mack Center selling raffle tickets for nightly seats.
UNLVRodeo.com

UNLV Rodeo is alive and well at the university, headed by Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ric Griffin. In all, the program has won 15 team and individual national championships and 26 regional titles. Each year, the UNLV rodeo program auctions off a series of Wrangler NFR tickets to held fund the program, generating thousands of dollars annually.

“The support of Las Vegas Events and the Wrangler NFR has helped hundreds and hundreds of kids earn scholarships,” Griffith said. “Just this year alone we have given out $60,000 and our raffle is a big part of that and it has helped change the lives of many kids.”

According to a recent story in Las Vegas Weekly by Sarah Feldberg, the rodeo program is the best at UNLV. One of the reasons why is the annual support from Las Vegas Events and Wrangle NFR.

From Feldberg: “UNLV’s most successful team isn’t the beloved basketball squad that graces billboards around town. No, the most successful team on the UNLV campus is one that competes wearing cowboy boots and wide-brimmed hats: rodeo.”

In 2017, former UNLV rodeo athlete Nellie Miller won the Barrel Racing world title at the Wrangler NFR. Miller has a deep history in Las Vegas and loves the city and UNLV. It’s always special to return anytime, especially each December.

Justin McBride, a two-time world champion bull rider, also competed for UNLV Rodeo.

“It feels good,” Miller said. “I love this town. I have a lot of history here. I went to school here and got married here, so it’s always nice to come back.”