PRORODEO Sports News | Roy Cooper 1955-2025 | May 2, 2025

Miller came into the 1979 NFR trail ing season leader Monte Henson and second place Berger by $13,000 and $12,000, respectively. Miller clicked at the NFR, placing in seven of the 10 rounds and won the average by 19 points to claim $15,000 to make the world champi onship race a heartstopper. Miller, who also finished second in the 1975 world standings, was a PRCA judge for more than 20 years. Miller served on the PRCA Rules Committee four years and the PRCA Humane Committee for two years. He was an NFR judge five years, being selected by saddle bronc con testants three times. For more than 30 years, Miller in structed at saddle bronc schools and continues to mentor young bronc riders. Smith is a 10-time NFR qualifier (1995, 1997-2001, 2004-2005, 2007-2008, and 2010) and 2008 NFR average winner. “I was just trying to win enough to keep justifying going to rodeos,” Smith said. “Then you’re fortunate enough to make the Finals and eventually win a world champion ship. This is something that prob ably means more than anything because it really didn’t have a whole lot to do with me. This is something

that people on the outside and in side selected.” Smith’s road to the PRORODEO Hall of Fame has had many obsta cles. He made a comeback from a stroke in 2003, missed the gold buckle by $1,778 in 2004 to Monty Lewis and his prized horse Topper was killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2007. Smith seized the moment in Round 10 in 2008. He finished second in the round with a 7.2-second run on his aptly named mare, Destiny – his best run of the rodeo by six tenths of a second. That run allowed him to clinch the average and the coveted world championship.

the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo. Purcella had signature rodeo wins in Denver, Reno (Nev.) and Puyal lup, Wash.

Collins is a six-time NFR qualifier (1994-95, 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2002), and he won the 2000 NFR average title with a then-record of 816 points on 10 head. “There are so many guys who are so deserving, who are amazing athletes and cowboys who have done so much for the sport that it’s just so humbling,” Collins said. “I’ve seen so many greats go in there and just to be mentioned with those people is amazing.” Collins accomplishments also in clude winning the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (1993), Reno (Nev.) Rodeo (1999, 2000) and Cal ifornia Rodeo Salinas (1998, 2000). Purcella and Collins are joined in the class by innovative rodeo producer Mack Altizer, who was the owner of Bad Company Rodeo stock contracting firm. “From the very start, we saw that was a hit and it always pushed us to get bigger and better,” Altizer said. “Then when the rodeo was over, we were always looking at the following year … It’s a formula that works and Jeff Collins Doll Rodeo photo

Purcella qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 12 times – 1995-2005, and 2009 – and was invited twice in 1992 and 1994 – and he also won the NFR average in 1996. “It’s quite a surprise. I heard a cou ple of years ago that somebody had nominated me,” Purcella said. “But I didn’t ever think it would happen. I don’t know what to think about it yet. It’s pretty cool.” Purcella partnered with Steve Northcott in 1996 and Northcott won the PRCA Team Roping Heeler World Championship that year. Purcella and Northcutt also teamed up in 1998 to capture the title at Steve Purcella

Stran Smith

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