2019 PRCA Media Guide - Awards

Linderman Award

In 2018, with only one week left in the regular season, KyleWhitaker, 42, was $33 shy of qualifying for the Linderman Award. But the Nebraska cowboy’s 64-point ride at the Coy Lutz Memorial Rodeo in Centre Hall, Pa., was worth more than just the $320 paycheck on Sept. 22 – it also earned him his fourth consecutive Linderman Award and 10th overall since 1997.

“I thought nine was quite a few,’” Kyle Whitaker said. “I wasn’t crazy about riding broncs, but all my friends said, ‘you have to go for 10.”’ It’s so difficult to qualify for the Linderman Award that nobody qualified in 1994 and 1996. To be in the running for the Linderman Award, cowboys must win at least $1,000 in a minimum of three events, where at least one of those must include one roughstock and one timed event. “I wish there were more people that tried to get it,” Kyle Whitaker said. “I had good battles with guys like Trell Etbauer to win the Linderman, but it’s a little different the last few years where there aren’t as many guys trying for it.” The Linderman Award, named after ProRodeo Hall of Fame cowboy Bill Linderman, recognizes cowboys who perform at both ends of the arena. Linderman won six world championships, two in the all-around (1950, 1953) and saddle bronc riding (1945, 1950,) and one each in bareback riding (1943) and steer wrestling (1950). In 2017, Kyle Whitaker joined his dad Chip Whitaker, Phil Lyne and Trell Etbauer as the only cowboys to win the award for three straight years. Now he’s the only one to win the prestigious award for four consecutive years. Chip won the award a total of four times (1975, 1977-79). “I didn’t think he’d be doing it over 21 years, that’s for sure,” Chip said. “It will take a long while for someone to beat it.” Although he’s hanging up his bronc riding saddle, Whitaker’s not done competing, as he plans to continue bulldogging. “This will be my last one,” Kyler Whitaker said “It was hard getting on broncs this year but I wanted to get qualified one more time at least.” – Matt Naber, PRCA Media Linderman Award, By Year

1966 1967

Benny Reynolds, Melrose, Mont. Kenny McLean, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Lewis Feild, Elk Ridge, Utah

Bernie Smyth Jr., Crossfield, Alberta Casey Minton, Redwood Valley, Calif.

1968 1969

Paul Mayo, Grinnell, Iowa

(no contestant qualified) Chuck Kite, Montfort, Wis.

Kenny McLean, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia

(no contestant qualified) 1997-98 Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb. 1999 Dan Erickson, La Junta, Colo. 2000-01 Jesse Bail, Camp Crook, S.D. 2002 Dan Erickson, La Junta, Colo. 2003 Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb. 2004 Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas 2005-06 Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb. 2007 Mike Outhier, Utopia, Texas 2008-10 Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 2011 Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb. 2012 Kyle Thomson, Lundbreck, Alberta 2013 Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 2014 Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah 2015-18 Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb.

1970-72

Phil Lyne, George West, Texas

1971 Phil Lyne, George West, Texas 1973-74 Bob Blandford, San Antonio, Texas 1975 ChipWhitaker, Chambers, Neb. 1976 Phil Lyne, Artesia Wells, Texas 1977-79 ChipWhitaker, Chambers, Neb. 1980 Steve Bland, Trent, Texas 1981 Lewis Feild, Peoa, Utah 1982 Tom Eirikson, Innisfail, Alberta 1983-84 Marty Melvin, Holabird, S.D. 1985 Tom Eirikson, Innisfail, Alberta 1986 Bob Schall, Arlee, Mont. 1987 Tom Eirikson, Priddis, Alberta 1988 Lewis Feild, Elk Ridge, Utah 1989 Philip Haugen, Williston, N.D. 1990 Bernie Smyth Jr., Crossfield, Alberta

PRCA AWARDS

579

2019 PRCA MEDIA GUIDE