PRORODEO Sports News - March 21, 2025

Meet the PRCA

Supervisor of Pro Officials Ron Howard

BY ZACH ALVIRA

there who want us to grow and get better and become who we should become.” One of Howard’s main goals in his new role is to help elevate officiating in PRORODEO. He wants the judges in the field to be evaluated, observed and ranked to ensure the best judges are at the best rodeos. He also aims to compensate officials at a higher rate. Additionally, he wants to utilize a software that allows spectators on TV to better understand what judges are looking for when scoring

RON HOWARD HAS spent his entire life serving others. A schoolteacher of 20 years, he worked his way up to superintendent while spending his free time as a rodeo judge and coach. Howard joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys behind his four decades of experience in education. The move was one Howard said he had looked forward to when the opportunity presented itself. He now aims to further mentor and coach individuals, just in a different capacity. Association (PRCA) in January 2025, leaving

Ron Howard has lofty expectations and big goals for PRORODEO judges. ( Photo by Taylor Brown )

wear a brace. That was two months and when I started riding again I did it again. I kept riding but it was never the same after that.” The injuries allowed Howard to step into judging, where his love for mentoring people as an educator mixed with his love for rodeo. As his career in education came to an end via retirement, his career as a rodeo judge began to blossom. He spent several years judging the sport, taking a brief hiatus while he entered rodeo promotions. But in January, when the Supervisor of Pro Officials job came open at the PRCA, Howard saw the opportunity to step in. Only three months in, he’s already well on his way to making improvements to judging in the PRCA. “It’s been a good experience,” Howard said. “It’s dang sure a challenge. But it’s also rewarding because there are a lot of people out

events at rodeos. Howard feels the transparency will not only take pressure off officials but hold them more accountable, too. “We get comments all the time,” Howard said. “They don’t understand the involvement and criteria. Maybe that might be a way to support that. “And if you’re out there judging and you’re really struggling, we can work with you through these systems.” From his knowledge to his passion, Howard brings a new level of commitment for officiating to the PRCA. Day by day he hopes to further bolster the skills of officials to continue improving PRORODEO. “This is a top-notch organization,” Howard said of the PRCA. “People want to see all of us succeed and I think they put things in place to allow us to succeed. We’re off to a good start. We’ve got a good team to get it done.”

“I enjoy what I do,” Howard said. “I’m starting the third month already. The rewards are more to come, and those rewards will be of your heart and of your mind from satisfying your goals.” Howard’s experience in rodeo stems from his childhood. He grew up on a farm competing at a level that helped him earn a scholarship to Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. He eventually transferred to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, earning his bachelor’s to begin working as a teacher. He returned to school to obtain two master’s degrees, elevating his career into school administration and eventually at the district level. All the while, he stayed involved in rodeo. But that was derailed after two serious injuries. “I broke my neck,” Howard said. “It didn’t displace it, so I just had to

41