The 70-year-old University of Arizona Rodeo Club, a student group that has well-known local cowboys Joe and Clay Parsons among its alumni, now has a new practice arena.
Club members have a place to practice plus room to board their horses at the new arena, on the Interstate 10 frontage road south of West Prince Road. Previously, they practiced at the home of John Marchello, the club's adviser and coach. Marchello, whom the students call "Doc," is a professor of animal science at the UA.
Students said they like that the new arena is closer to campus than their former practice space.
"We were real lucky to get this arena. It's never been done before, so this is real exciting to rope here every day instead of going all the way to Marana to Doc's house to rope," said Jacob Mayfield, 21, who does team roping and calf roping.
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The UA's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences gave roughly 2.5 acres for the arena, Marchello said. It's on the UA's West Agriculture Campus. After that, the club began asking for donations.
So far, they've raised $32,000, including a recent $3,500 donation from a former collegiate cowboy, Marchello said. They began building the arena in December, and club members say it's a work in progress. They plan to use the recent donation to put shades on the pens.
The Rodeo Club has 20 members, 10 of whom are rodeoing, Marchello said. The club competes in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's Grand Canyon Region. The UA club's 70th Annual Intercollegiate Rodeo will be held March 8 at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave.
To be eligible for the Rodeo Club, students need a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 and have to take at least 12 units, Marchello said. Most of the club's current members have received scholarships through it.
Some say they plan to pursue professional rodeo careers.
Freshman Mike Anaya, 18, said he plans to go into professional rodeo "soon, very soon." He's saving money and making sure he's ready, he said. His uncle, Andy Anaya, was a professional roper.
"He's like a mentor. He talks to me, helps me focus and gives me advice," he said.
Other club members are certain the life of a professional cowboy isn't for them.
"To be a career, that's kind of like full-time, going on the road all the time, and that's not really what I want," said Shawn Deverse, the club's president. He is a senior studying biosystems engineering.
Mayfield, a junior studying agricultural business economics and management, isn't sure if he will pursue a professional rodeo career.
"Maybe someday if I ever get good enough to try it out after college," he said. "That's why I'm going to school because I'm not planning on the whole pro rodeo deal."
He and his sister Whitney, who is also in the club, are the nephew and niece of professional roper Brent Lewis.
On StarNet: More photos at azstarnet.com/slideshows
To buy tickets
• Online: tucson rodeo.com
• Phone: 741-2233 or 1-800-964-5662.
• In person: Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave. Unless indicated, admission is $12 to $18 up to 24 hours in advance; or $13 to $19 at the gate.
• Parking is $5 per car.
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