By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor
In its traditional form, the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping Committee in Hereford, Texas, staged one of the nation’s largest ropings in late summer. Besides paying out more than $900,000 to ropers, The Gripp raised more than $100,000 in scholarship funds for the West Texas A&M University (WT) Rodeo Team students and others majoring in WT’s agricultural fields.
With much financial and boots-on-the-ground support from dozens of sponsors, the Hereford community and Panhandle neighbors, the event accomplished what its namesake, the late Spicer Gripp, pursued before his death in the 1990s. He sought to provide kids with an opportunity to study ranching and other agricultural fields.
Several cowboys from Hereford and area communities put together the first one in 1994. This year, several hundred cowboys and cowgirls competed. Many were PRCA members who kept The Gripp on their schedules, which also included the likes of Cheyenne, Houston, Calgary and Vegas.
But the big winners were students at the WT Paul Engler College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences. Lance Kieth, Ph.D., associate dean of external relations and recruiting, expressed gratitude for the Spicer Gripp support. “It will help the Department of Agricultural Sciences and the rodeo team attract talented individuals who are passionate about agriculture,” he said.
“The gift of $100,000 was met with a generous matching donation from the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences Engler Funds. This combined $200,000 donation will benefit academic scholarships for both agricultural students and members of the WT Rodeo Team.”
Kieth said the longstanding partnership between the Spicer Gripp Foundation and WT demonstrates a commitment to supporting the education and development of future ag leaders. “It emphasizes WT’s dedication to nurturing this partnership for years to come,” Kieth said, noting that several faculty members and more than 30 WT ag students volunteered for various event duties.
Many buckles were awarded, and various scholarships and other prizes were presented to the winners from many categories.
