ProRodeo Sports News - April 12, 2024

‘I wanted to have a Hall of Fame of career,” Yates said. “I was blessed to do what I got to do. Anybody that says it isn’t a dream come true to get into that (ProRodeo Hall of Fame) are not telling the truth. For me to be put in with the people who are in there is an amazing honor.” In 1984, J.D. was a part of the only father son-daughter trio to compete at the NFR in the same year. His dad, Dick also qualified in team roping, while his sister Kelly qualified in barrel racing. Mr. T was a rank bull that left his mark in the PRCA by bucking off his share of ProRodeo Hall of Famers, including Jim Sharp in Round 10 of the 1989 NFR, propelling Tuff Hedeman to a PRCA World Championship. “Having Mr. T brought us from just being a small Wyoming outfit to being a small Wyoming outfit with a famous bull,” laughed Hal Burns, the owner of Mr. T. “He was just extremely athletic. He went to the NFR six years in a row, and it takes a special type of bull to have that sort of longevity in the sport of rodeo.” On the rodeo committee side, this honor for Fort Madison means a lot. “For a city of just over 10,000 people we draw a crowd from across the Midwest and the country for that matter. We are awfully proud of that,” said Chuck Kempker, the President of the Board of Directors at the Tri-State Rodeo. “The volunteers, the sponsors and the community of Fort Madison are a huge asset to our rodeo every single year. We wouldn’t have this honor without them.” The ProRodeo Hall of Fame started inducting WPRA members in 2017, and McRae and Day are thrilled to join that elite group. “It was great to hear it from Jimmie, that was outstanding in itself,” stated McRae about receiving the call on her induction from WPRA President Jimmie Munroe. “This is a dream come true. Rodeo has made so many of my dreams come true and I would have to say this tops the cake. This was probably the final dream that I have dreamed of for my rodeo career. Being from Colorado, I am really glad WPRA members are now part of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. It means a lot to me because I have been around the Hall the majority of my life. I wish both my parents were still alive to see it, but they will see it happen from heaven.” Day echoed McRae. “I was just blown away when I got the news from Jimmie (Munroe),” stated Day upon learning of her induction. “I was overwhelmed and speechless and for those that know me it takes a lot for me to be speechless. I feel so honored and blessed to be receiving this news. I am just all smiles.” Feist, who is renowned in rodeo circles, is thrilled to get the prestigious Ken Stemler Pioneer Award. “What an honor, my goodness, I will have to get myself together here,” Feist. “This means a lot.”

Mr. T bucks off Lane Frost

Fort Madison Rodeo

Jeana Day

Marlene McRae

ProRodeo Sports News 4/12/2024

ProRodeo.com

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