FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APR 20, 2022
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA – The University of Providence is excited to host this year’s Big Sky Region College Rodeo as it returns to Great Falls on Friday, April 22 at the King’s Arena.
Since joining the University as full-time coaches in 2021, Montana Natives and rodeo royalty, Ryan and Darcy Mapston, have brought a wealth of talent, leadership, and knowledge to the Argonaut Rodeo team.
This is the first college rodeo the Mapstons are heading and are excited to have Montana’s top college students in the Big Sky Region compete.
“These college kids are just so enthusiastic about it! They have the team pride and it’s just a really cool atmosphere. Of course, these kids are getting their degrees for their future, but they’re also perfecting their events for the future. There’s going to be some kids that we’ll see at the National Finals Rodeo,” – Darcy Mapston.
“Rodeo is something that’s been around for hundreds of years and in a way, it’s an honor that we get to keep that way of life alive. I’ve been wanting to rodeo since I was probably five years old. I like it because it builds a pretty-tight knit community of kids who all have the same kind of values, a common lifestyle that we all enjoy,” Kimberlee Leier, sophomore, University of Providence.
The rodeo kicks off Friday with the first performance at 6:00 p.m. and continues Saturday with slack at 9:00 a.m. and a short-go performance at 6:00 p.m.
The University of Providence (UP) is a private, Roman Catholic Liberal Arts University founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Providence. The University of Providence honors the Sisters’ vision today by providing a mission-driven education to those that need it the most. UP is located in Great Falls, Montana and offers both undergraduate and graduate level liberal arts programs and health programs. For more information visit www.uprovidence.edu.
