ProRodeo Sports News - July 24, 2020

TIME CAPSULE 1990 HOF INDUCTION

Sue Rosoff photo From left: sportscaster George Michael interviews Lane Frost as Tuf Hedeman looks on after a performance at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Rodeo Rewind

The 30th anniversary of 1990 Hall of Fame Induction remembered

BY MATT NABER E very inductee to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame has made a significant impact on the sport, so each class of inductees is equally special. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1990 class of inductees to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, and it was unlike any other. Among the 10 inductees that year, was 1987World Champion Bull Rider Lane Frost. Frost, who was born in Colorado but grew up in Oklahoma, was the first to conquer 1987 PRCA Bucking Bull of the Year Red Rock, who also went into the Hall in 1990. Red Rock was unridden on 309 attempts and retired from ProRodeo

Rodeo. That year, fellow 1990 HOF inductee ClemMcSpadden was named the 1986 PRCA Announcer of the Year and Cowboy Hall of Fame Rodeo Man of the Year. Now, like Frost’s name being synonymous with bull riding, McSpadden’s name is tied to steer roping, with his memory living on at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping.

1990 INDUCTEES • Lane Frost – Bull Riding • Red Rock – Livestock (bull) • Clem McSpadden – Rodeo Notable • Walt Alsbaugh – Stock Contractor • Bobby Berger – Saddle Bronc Riding • Crooked Nose – Livestock (bull) • Verne Elliott – Stock Contractor • Mel Lambert – Contract Personnel • Wilbur Plaugher – Contract Personnel • Gerald Roberts – All-Around

The Oklahoma cowboy announced the NFSR from 1963-2000, served as president and board member for the Rodeo Cowboys Association, and was general manager for the NFR for 18 years while it was in Oklahoma City. Among his accomplishments with the NFR, McSpadden is credited with hiring then-unknown singer Reba McEntire to perform the national anthem in 1974. Beyond rodeo, McSpadden was a politician. He was a Democratic member of the Oklahoma Senate from 1954-72 and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973-75.

undefeated. But the bull’s retirement didn’t last long. In 1988, owner John Growney created the “Challenge of the Champions,” where Red Rock and Frost had a seven-ride match. Frost emerged the victor, 4-3. Among Frost’s many accomplishments before his tragic death in Cheyenne in 1989 was winning the aggregate at the 1986 National Finals

ProRodeo Sports News 7/24/2020

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