SAU receives $2 million gift to build new University Rodeo Arena

MAGNOLIA – Construction of a new rodeo arena at Southern Arkansas University is much closer to reality after a $2 million donation from Therral and Jan Story of Magnolia. The gift, made through the SAU Foundation, is the largest ever received by the University from an individual donor.

            “Through their extraordinary generosity, Therral and Jan Story are making an investment in Southern Arkansas University that will impact both the students and programs on the SAU campus and the future of this region,” said Jeanie Bismark, executive director of the SAU Foundation. “On behalf of the Board of Governors of the SAU Foundation, we gratefully accept this, the largest gift from an individual in the history of the University. What a wonderful way to begin SAU’s second century of learning.”

The Storys presented a check to the SAU rodeo team and administrators on Wednesday, April 14. Therral Story said he appreciates the hard work demonstrated by the students on the rodeo team and is impressed by the fact the team is composed of students from across the nation. He hopes a new arena will only expand the team’s successes and bring more events to Magnolia.

            “It’s hard to have a rodeo without an arena,” he said. “We thought it would be a good idea for the community and the growth of the University.”

            As part of the University’s Blue and Gold Vision master plan, the proposed covered arena will be designed to meet the needs of SAU’s intercollegiate rodeo team. The facility will also be built to accommodate horse shows and other livestock events as well as concerts and trade shows. Feasibility studies are being conducted to determine the best location for the arena in the vicinity of the existing Mulerider Stables.

SAU President Dr. David Rankin said the arena will provide an excellent location for members of the nationally competitive SAU rodeo team to practice rain or shine. It will also help draw more visitors to the campus and Magnolia.

“We are very grateful to the Storys for their outstanding generosity,” said Rankin. “They are making the lead gift for a facility that will greatly benefit Southern Arkansas University and the local and regional economy.”

SAU Rodeo Coach Rusty Hayes said the new arena will give the University a competitive edge. SAU has hosted high school rodeos in the past, but they have been held out of town due to the lack of facilities. The new arena will allow more collegiate and high school rodeos to be held on the SAU campus, and those rodeos will bring more prospective students.

“Just getting students on campus to see what you’ve got is half the battle most of the time,” Hayes said. “This will help.”

While plans for the arena have not been finalized, University officials estimate its total cost will be $3.5 million and that it will be approximately 125,000 square feet covered. Parking will add an additional 12 acres to the site plan. The SAU Foundation will continue to raise private funds for the arena’s construction.

SAU RODEO

We travel to ten college rodeos each year in the Ozark Region, and try to earn a spot at the College National Finals Rodeo in June. Some of the other big schools in our region include: Troy University, Murray State University, University of Tennessee – Martin, University of Arkansas – Monticello, Missouri Valley College and the University of West Alabama.

Students on the rodeo team must pay their own way to the rodeos, and hope to win some of their money back as they compete. 2006-2007 proved to be a tremendous year, as we had four team members make it to the College National Finals Rodeo and bring home the fourth place (in the nation!) trophy. The 2007-2008 year ended with three of our team members traveling to the college finals, one of which finished in the top six. This 2008-2009 year has topped the last two years with SAU bringing home five of the Ozark Region Champion saddles. The women’s team won the Ozark Region! The womens team was lead by the 2009 Ozark Region Champions: Ashley Mills(Breakaway), Hannah Thomas(Goat Tying), and Beth Stone(Barrel Racing). The men’s team finished fourth in the Ozark Region. They were lead by the 2009 Ozark Region Champions: Cody Prescott(Tie-Down Roping) and Cody Roberts(Team Roping-Heeler). Not only did this group do outstanding in our region but also at the College Finals.  Cody Prescott brought home the NATIONAL CHAMPION CALF ROPING title, Ashley Mills won the first round of the breakaway roping, and Hannah Thomas won 4th place in the 3rd round of the goat tying in Casper at the finals. Overall our womens team finished 14th in the nation and our mens team finished 27th in the nation! WAY TO GO MULERIDERS!!!! After finishing out the 2009-2010 season our Women’s team finished third in the region and our Men’s team finished fifth in the region. The top finishers on the team were Cody Prescott, winning the Ozark Region Champion Calf Roper, Hannah Thomas winning the Ozark Region Champion Goat Tyer, and Ashley Mills winning Ozark Region Reserve Champion Breakaway Roper. These three contestants will also be representing SAU in Casper Wyoming this summer at the College National Finals Rodeo. Good Luck Hannah, Cody, and Ashley at the CNFR!

Please feel free to come checkout the Mulerider Stables, Agriculture Department, and the rest of Southern Arkansas University at any time!