ProRodeo Sports News - July 24, 2020

PASSAGES

BRIEFS Slim Pickens, Mabel Strickland Named 2020 Inductees to Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame Acclaimed rodeo clown Slim Pickens and cowgirl and trick rider Mabel Strickland will be inducted posthumously into the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame this summer. Pickens is being inducted under the Participant category, while Strickland is being inducted as both a Participant and a National Competitor. Strickland and Pickens both went on to Hollywood

MIKE LUCKE

Mike Lucke, the 2011 president of the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo, passed away July 19 in Reno. He was 66. Lucke, a native of Reno,

also was honored as the John Justin Committeeman of the Year in 2004. He

was affiliated with the Reno Rodeo Association since 1981, serving on the board of directors since 1986, spending 15 years on the executive board and serving as arena director or co- director more than a dozen times. “Mike was a fantastic guy who was loved by all,” said George Combs, general manager of the Reno Rodeo. “The Reno Rodeo Association was his life.” Lucke also was a member of the Association of Rodeo Committees board. He also served as a board member of the California 6 Pack Rodeos and served on the board of the Animal Welfare Council. Lucke was the owner of Lucke’s Saloon in Reno for more than 40 years. Lucke PRCA refreshes its online store The PRCA is excited to refresh its online store at Shop.ProRodeo. com. Shop the exclusive collection and styles as contestants get back in the saddle this summer. Look for new looks each week and a full relaunch later this summer. Tune in to ‘NFR Extra’ “NFR Extra,” the podcast that won the 2019 PRCA Multimedia Broadcast Award presented by Boot Barn, is releasing episodes weekly. A recent “NFR Extra,” released July 17 had an interview with CEO of the WPRA Doreen Wintermute. The July 13 podcast included an interview with the Powell Brothers, the Texas country-rock band. July 8’s show was an NFR Tribute to Charlie Daniels. Daniels, who was a staple performer at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, passed away July 6 at 83.

movie careers. Mabel used her skills on horseback to work as a stunt woman and appear in several 1930s Westerns, including Bing Crosby’s Rhythm on the Range (1936). Pickens became a talented actor who played characters in scores of mid-20th century television shows and feature movies, including Dr. Strangelove (1964), Major Dundee (1965, with Charlton Heston), The Cowboys (1972, with John Wayne) and Blazing Saddles (1974). Pickens (1919-83), of Kingsburg, Calif., was a talented post-World War II rodeo clown who worked the Ellensburg Rodeo from 1947-50 and returned for the 1955 rodeo. Known for his arena antics and his mule “Judy,” Pickens also donned Spanish matador attire to fight bulls and protect bull riders. He made many friends in Ellensburg and developed a devoted following among Northwest rodeo fans. Strickland (1897-1976) was a highly respected rodeo

Pickens

Strickland

cowgirl who competed in Ellensburg in 1926 and 1928-30 in roping, bronc riding and track racing events. She won the 1930 Ellensburg Rodeo women’s relay race. A native of Walla Walla, Strickland was Pendleton (Ore.) Roundup Queen and performed as a trick rider. She and her husband, Hugh, an Idaho bronc rider, steer wrestler and roper, traveled the rodeo road together in the early days of the sport. Pickens is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame member in Colorado Springs, Colo. Strickland and Pickens are inductees of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Strickland is in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hall of Fame inductions will be in compliance with Washington state’s guidelines. There is the possibility of a virtual induction. Estes Park scholarship recipients announced Estes Park Western Heritage, the nonprofit group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park, Colo., to produce the award-winning Rooftop Rodeo, announced the recipients of its 2020 youth scholarships. The Estes Park Western Heritage Youth Scholarship Fund recognizes graduating high school seniors whose contributions to the community reflect and support the mission of the organization, “To support the Rooftop Rodeo and preserve and promote the Western heritage of the Estes Valley.” This year’s award-winners were: • Esabella Burkhardt, a student in the Estes Park School District for 13 years, graduating with a 3.99 GPA. Esabella will attend Colorado State University. • Noel Villanueva, a student in the Estes Park School District for seven years, graduating with a 3.92 GPA. Noel will attend the University of Wyoming. • Aubrey Kinley, a student in the Estes Park School District for 13 years, graduating with a 3.92 GPA. Aubrey will attend Texas A&M University. For more information visit http://www.rooftoprodeo.com/youth-scholarship. html.

PRCA NOTES

ProRodeo Sports News 7/24/2020

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