ProRodeo Sports News | 2020 Year-End Edition | Dec.18, 2020

JIM SUTTON JR. – S tock contractor Jim Sutton is the patriarch of Sutton Rodeo. He and his wife, Julie, have a six-generation family operation still running strong in Onida, S.D. Jim and Julie were the recipients of the 2017 PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement Award. Sutton Rodeo has had three PRCAHorse of

RANDY WITTE – N otable

Randy Witte hasn’t been one to be at a loss for words. He spent a career putting them on paper. But when he was notified he was going into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2020 as a notable, he wasn’t sure what to say. “That was the farthest thing on my mind,” Witte said. “I’m pretty much speechless. … It’s hard to sink in. I just told the rest of my immediate family. What a tremendous honor. It brings back a flood of memories.”

the Year awards: saddle bronc horse DeepWater in 1979, bareback horse Big Bud in 1985 and saddle bronc horse Chuckulator in 2012. Chuckulator also was the top saddle bronc horse of the 2012 NFR. Sutton Rodeo stock has been selected to perform at every NFR but one since the NFR's inception in 1959. “It’s my birthday (today, April 20), so this was quite the gift,” said Sutton, 85. “This is something I really appreciate. I have been inducted into a half- dozen halls of fame, and if there’s one I wanted to be in this would be it. This is the best award I've ever received.” Jim and Julie took the company to the next level with a focus on production and innovation. Jim began the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo in 1978, a rodeo nominated 16 times for PRCA Indoor Rodeo of the Year, winning the award in 2002-03 and 2020. He originated the Wrangler Bullfights and the Bailey Bail-Off. He is famous for his pageantry and colorful rodeo openings, including the openings at the NFR in 1995-96. Jim has been nominated four times as Stock Contractor of the Year. The roots of the Suttons being involved in the rodeo business can be traced to 1926 when the Edwin Sutton family – Edwin was Jim’s grandfather – began producing rodeos on the home ranch in Sully County, S.D. James H. Sutton Sr. took Sutton Rodeo to the next stage in the 1950s when he entered a partnership with Erv Korkow. As one of the first members of the Rodeo Cowboys Association, Sutton/Korkow stock performed at the first National Finals Rodeo in Dallas in 1959. James was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1982. “I don’t know anybody else I would rather follow,” Jim said. In 1968, James (Jim) Sutton Jr. became a partner with his dad, forming Sutton Rodeo Company. Sutton

Witte

Witte worked on the RCA news bureau and wrote for ProRodeo Sports News for seven years before transitioning to Western Horseman , where he worked for 29 years – the last 17 as the publisher. His career revolved around rodeo, even if he didn’t make it as a bull rider. “When I started out, I was going to be a bull rider,”Witte said. “I made some rides I was proud of. I had help from (Hall of Famer) Jerome Robinson. He taught me and other guys. But he was a lot more dedicated. Inmy case, it didn’t take me long to find my real course of life was rodeo writing not rodeo riding.”

ELLENSBURG RODEO – C ommittee

Since 1923, the Ellensburg Rodeo in Washington has grown into one of the largest ProRodeo competitions of the regular season. “This is great news, we feel very

honored,” said Dan Morgan, Director for the Ellensburg Rodeo. “With everything going on lately, you know there’s been a lot of not-so-happy news out there right now, and it felt really good to get a call

like this and brighten the day. The fact we have been around for almost 100 years is special, and we’re trying to continue on the sport of rodeo for the contestants, the fans and for the stock, and to support the Western heritage of our county, our state and our country,” Morgan said. Since 1998, three Ellensburg Rodeo directors have been awarded the prestigious John Justin Committeeman of the Year Award – Ken MacRae (1998), Joel Smith (2007) and Steve Adler (2013).

MARTHA JOSEY – B arrel Racer

SUNNI DEB BACKSTROM – C ontract Personnel

Martha Josey not only became a world champion barrel racer but got the opportunity to compete in rodeo during the 1988Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, winning an individual bronze medal and helping TeamUSA capture the team title. Josey, who resides in Karnack, Texas, qualified

Sunni Deb Backstrom, of Congress, Ariz., is an 18-time NFR Secretary (1991, 2000, 2003, 2006-20) who has earned PRCA Secretary of the Year 11 times, more than any other recipient, for her outstanding work as a rodeo secretary. She served as the contestant office manager at the 2005 Finals and three times as an NFR timer (1975, 1980, 1984).

for the NFR 11 times on four different horses across a span of four decades. She won her world title in 1980 on Sonny Bit O’ Both, the same year the duo also won the AQHAWorld Championship, a feat that hasn’t been matched. “I am so excited and just don’t know what to say, I am in shock,” the 82-year-old said. “I have received some great honors in the past, but this is among the very highest. It is a true honor to be included in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in the WPRA category alongside so many great athletes and personnel. I thought four years ago when the WPRA inducted their first class it was just magnificent, and to get the call is just wonderful.” Not only did she make a name for herself in the arena but also has given back to the sport through her clinics. She and husband, R.E., started conducting barrel racing clinics in 1967 at their ranch in Texas. Many of today’s world champions credit Martha Josey with helping them achieve their goals. Her clinics have grown to average more than 1,500 students annually. The WPRA contributed to this report. Josey

Backstrom

Backstrom was at a loss for words when she was notified that she was going into the Hall of Fame as contract personnel. Her mother, Ellen, was inducted under the same category in 1995, making them the first mother and daughter to be inducted into the Hall. “My mom was the first woman inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame,” said Sunni Deb, 61. “It was one of my proudest days. My entire life is the rodeo industry and always has been. It was my family’s life. It’s very overwhelming, I can’t tell you how much this means to me.” Ellen Backstrom was a four-time NFR secretary and was elected in the late ’70s to serve on the PRCA Board of Directors as contract personnel director, making her the only female to ever serve on the Board. She passed away March 22, 1988.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/18/2020

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