Articles & Resources
Recruiting insights, mental performance, and stories from the western student-athlete world.
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · College Rodeo Recruiting Basics · Parents & Family GuidanceWhy Early Education Reduces College Rodeo Recruiting Stress for Families
Discover how early education in college rodeo recruiting eases stress for families. Learn the ins and outs of college rodeo recruiting today!
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · College Rodeo Recruiting Basics · Parents & Family GuidanceHow a College Rodeo Recruiting System Supports Western Student-Athletes at Every Stage
Discover how a college rodeo recruiting system supports Western student-athletes at every stage. Learn how college rodeo recruiting can simplify your journey.
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · College Rodeo Recruiting Basics · Parents & Family GuidanceWhy College Rodeo Coaches Value Complete, Consistent Athlete Information
If you’re new to the recruiting process, start with our Essential Guide to College Rodeo Recruiting, which explains how the entire system works for athletes and families.
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · College Rodeo Recruiting Basics · Parents & Family GuidanceWhy College Rodeo Recruiting Works Better When Information Lives in One Place
A coach sees you compete. You send a follow-up email. They remember your name. Months pass. They cannot quickly find your academics. They are unsure of your graduation year. They do not have your latest results. They forget whether you were interested or just exploring.
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsWhy Waiting for “Perfect” Can Stall the College Rodeo Recruiting Process
If you’re new to the recruiting process, start with our Essential Guide to College Rodeo Recruiting, which explains how the entire system works for athletes and families.
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · Parents & Family GuidanceHow to Evaluate Progress Without Comparing Yourself to Others in College Rodeo Recruiting
Contestants sit behind the chutes during one performance of the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. If you’re new to the recruiting process, start with our Essential Guide to College Rodeo Recruiting , which explains how the entire system works for athletes and families. If you have been in college rodeo recruiting for more than five minutes, you have probably felt it. The comparison. If we're honest, it probably started around middle school. Someone posts their visit. Someone...
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsWhy Timing Matters More Than Rankings for College Rodeo Recruiting
Discover why timing is crucial in college rodeo recruiting. Learn how to stay prepared and seize opportunities beyond rankings in college rodeo recruiting.
College Rodeo Life & FitPBR and Learfield College Rodeo Launch Collegiate All-Star Rodeo as Part of Bulls & Beats Weekend at Colorado State
Learfield is the industry leader in intercollegiate athletics multimedia rights, managing and protecting official school IP while overseeing sponsorships with thousands of corporate partners. Currently, 21 schools in Learfield’s multimedia rights portfolio have rodeo teams, and there are more than 100 club-level rodeo teams across the U.S. As of January 2026, Learfield College Rodeo’s client roster includes esteemed programs such as Black Hills State, Cal Poly, Colorado State, Colorado Mesa,...
Recruiting Tools & Strategy · College Rodeo Recruiting Basics · What Coaches Look ForWhy Maturity Shows Up Before Results Do in College Rodeo Recruiting
Discover why maturity is key in college rodeo recruiting. Learn how athletes showing maturity can excel in college rodeo recruiting.
Parents & Family GuidanceCollege Rodeo Recruiting: How Parents Can Help Build Recruiting Momentum Without Pressure
Parents and family of a competitor watch from the sidelines at the National High School Finals Rodeo. If you're the parent of a rodeo athlete, or any student athlete, you probably live in two spaces at once. You want to support your student. You want to protect them. You want to see doors open. But you don't want to push too hard. You want them to take the lead and you want them to make the best decision for them. College rodeo recruiting is a delicate balance. Too little involvement and...
Recruiting Tools & StrategyHow Organization Creates Opportunity in College Rodeo Recruiting
Most people think opportunity in college rodeo comes from talent. And yes, talent matters.
College Rodeo Life & FitStudent Leadership and College Rodeo Life: Inside the Iowa State Rodeo Club
College rodeo is about far more than what happens inside the arena. For many athletes, the experience also becomes a training ground for leadership, responsibility, and community building.
Recruiting Tools & StrategyWhy “Just Compete and They’ll Find You” Is Outdated Advice for College Rodeo Recruiting
A student athlete heads down the alley at the Energy Capital Rodeo in Gillette, WY. If you’re new to the recruiting process, start with our Essential Guide to College Rodeo Recruiting , which explains how the entire system works for athletes and families. If you’ve been around rodeo long enough, you’ve probably heard it. “Just compete and they’ll find you.” It sounds simple. Comforting even. Focus on your event. Work hard. Win. The right coach will notice. That advice may have worked once. It...
What Coaches Look ForWhy Accountability in College Rodeo Recruiting Matters More as Competition Increases
You could show up, compete hard, and your results spoke loudly enough that recruiting structure did not feel urgent. But college rodeo recruiting is more competitive than it used to be. More athletes are serious. More families are proactive. More information is available.
What Coaches Look ForHow College Rodeo Coaches Track and Remember Prospects
One of the biggest misunderstandings in college rodeo recruiting is this: “If I reached out once, they’ll remember me.”
College Rodeo Recruiting Basics · Parents & Family GuidanceWhy Families need a plan for College Rodeo Recruiting, not just good intentions
Most families start college rodeo recruiting with good intentions. They want to support their athlete. They want to help them compete at the next level. They want to make smart financial decisions. They want doors to open.
Recruiting Timeline & PreparationHow Visibility Is Built Over Time; College Rodeo Recruiting
“If I compete good enough in the arena, they’ll find me.”
College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsWhy College Rodeo Recruiting Feels Overwhelming and How Bullfrog Structure Changes That
Most families are trying to navigate a system they were never taught. There’s no universal timeline, no single checklist, and no clear explanation of how coaches actually evaluate athletes. Add in schoolwork, rodeo schedules, travel, and finances, and it’s no wonder recruiting feels like too much.
What Coaches Look ForWhy Coachability Is Easier to Spot Than Talent in College Rodeo Recruiting
Most families assume recruiting decisions are driven by results inside the arena, buckle counts, or how flashy an athlete looks in the arena. Those things matter, but they are rarely the only deciding factor. When college rodeo coaches talk about what truly separates one recruit from another, the conversation almost always shifts away from talent and toward behavior and actions outside the arena.
College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsHow College Rodeo Recruiting Decisions Are Really Made
For many families, college rodeo recruiting feels hard and unknown. Athletes compete, send messages, post results, and then wait. Sometimes conversations move quickly. Other times, they feel slow or like maybe you've been ghosted. That uncertainty often leads to one big question: How are recruiting decisions actually made?
College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsWhy Confusion Is the Biggest Barrier in College Rodeo Recruiting
College rodeo recruiting isn’t broken. It lacks structure. And it can be confusing.
Recruiting Timeline & PreparationRiding Into 2026 in College Rodeo: How to Prepare for the Spring Rodeo Recruiting Season
Founder of Bullfrog Recruiting, Heidi Foy, is pictured with Shelby Rasmussen from Learfield College Rodeo in front of the watch party in Las Vegas at the Westgate Hotel & Casino in December 2025. It’s been a little quiet around here lately and we did that on purpose. I had a little warranty work done on my back and it was a perfect time to recover, especially after surgery- and, if I'm honest, Vegas! Now that we’re turning the corner, it’s time to start looking ahead. We found out after Vegas...
College Rodeo Life & FitA Week in Vegas That Reminded Us Why Community Matters in College Rodeo
As we left the Team Wyoming Breakfast at the Rio, I stalkingly commented as these strangers walked by that "hey, I follow you!" And I got to meet Cowboy Entrepreneur, Scott Knudsen and his daughter Hailey Knudsen. Being more intentional, and maybe a little awkward allowed me to network with a few new people last week. Every December, Las Vegas becomes the center of the rodeo world. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo brings together athletes, families, coaches, and industry leaders from...
College Rodeo Life & FitA College Rodeo Thanksgiving Reflection: Grateful for the Road That Led Here
What are you thankful for this year? Thanksgiving has a way of slowing everything down- I mean, after the meal is cooked, cleaned up and we finally sit on the couch. Rodeo seasons wind down, students head home, and all the noise of fall settles into something a little quieter. It’s the perfect moment to look back and take stock of what shaped us - and what we’re grateful for. When I think about my own journey, college rodeo rises to the top every time. My years at Northwest College and the...
College Rodeo Life & FitThe Heart of College Rodeo: Community, Grit, and Growth
I have vivid memories from my time in college. Some from the classes that I took, but mostly from the family I made. A team that was there for me during the ups of qualifying for the CNFR and even the first goat tying run I made after I had a major back surgery.
College Rodeo Life & FitWhat Makes a Great College Rodeo Team Culture?
Throwing your horses in with someone else and carpooling to the next college rodeo, blasting music on road trips, the late nights and early mornings, and team practices create more than just champions; they build a culture of grit, humility, and connection. When you go through adversity with a group of people it can create ties that last a lifetime. Every coach we’ve talked to says the same thing: winning runs come and go, but great culture lasts.
College Rodeo Life & FitFinding Your Fit: How to Choose the Right College Rodeo Program
Choosing the right college rodeo program can feel like trying to rope a calf in the dark — there are a lot of moving parts, and it’s easy to focus on the wrong target. Sure, every student-athlete wants a great coach, a strong team, and solid scholarship support. But when you talk to college rodeo coaches, one message stands out: the best program for you is the one that fits who you are — not just who gives you the most money.
College Rodeo Life & FitBalancing School & College Rodeo: Time Management Tips
Things are about to change for you. No longer are the days of mom and dad waking you up, doing chores for you or making sure things are done for you. It is up to you, now.
What Coaches Look ForBeyond Talent: Why Character Matters in College Rodeo Recruiting
When it comes to getting recruited for college rodeo, most students focus on what happens inside the arena — but coaches are watching a lot more than your times, scores, or ride percentages. They’re paying attention to your attitude, your effort, and how you treat others. Across dozens of interviews with college rodeo coaches, one message stood out again and again: Character wins championships long before talent does.
Parents & Family Guidance🎓 Scholarships & Financial Aid in College Rodeo
Every year, talented rodeo athletes miss out on thousands of dollars in scholarships—simply because they don’t know where to look. Whether you’re a student planning your next step or a parent trying to make sense of FAFSA forms, understanding how financial aid really works can make all the difference.
College Rodeo Recruiting Basics🎓 College Rodeo 101: College Rodeo Recruiting Roadmap
College rodeo recruiting can feel overwhelming. Between highlight reels, scholarship applications, and trying to find the right college fit — it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why Bullfrog Recruiting Solutions is hosting a free live webinar designed to walk families through the entire process, step by step.
What Coaches Look ForWhat College Rodeo Coaches Really Look For in a Recruit
College rodeo recruiting isn’t just about talent—it’s about the total package. At Bullfrog Recruiting, we’ve talked to dozens of college rodeo coaches to get an inside look at what they’re really looking for in student-athletes.
Recruiting Tools & Strategy5 Common College Rodeo Recruiting Mistakes Athletes Make (and How to Avoid Them)
College rodeo recruiting can feel overwhelming — especially when there’s no clear playbook. That’s exactly why we created Bullfrog Recruiting Solutions: to bring structure, strategy, and support to the process
College Rodeo Life & Fit🎓 The Academic Side of College Rodeo: What You Need to Know (And Do)
At Bullfrog Recruiting, we believe in helping student-athletes succeed inside the classroom as much as inside the arena. We’ve worked with coaches, former students, and referenced the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) to help you understand how academics affect your recruiting journey—and how to stay on track.
College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsCollege Rodeo FAQ: Everything Students & Parents Ask Coaches
Thinking about college rodeo? You’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of high school rodeo athletes and their families start asking the same questions about what it takes to compete at the next level. Instead of coaches answering these one by one, we’ve pulled together a quick FAQ to give you the basics.
Recruiting Tools & Strategy🎉 Create an Impactful Highlight Reel for College Rodeo Recruiting!
This isn’t about hype or fancy edits. Coaches want clarity and confidence — not entertainment.
Recruiting Tools & StrategyCollege Rodeo Recruiting; Why a Rodeo-Athlete Should Have a Recruiting Profile
Think of your recruiting profile as your digital handshake. It introduces you to coaches, puts your accomplishments in one place, and shows you’re serious about the recruiting process.
Parents & Family GuidanceA parent's role in College Rodeo Recruiting
As a parent, your support, perspective, and preparation can make a huge difference in helping your student-athlete navigate this path with clarity and confidence.
Recruiting Timeline & PreparationUnderstanding the Ideal Timeline to Launch Your College Rodeo Recruiting Journey
Youth rodeo contestants share smiles and stories with a rodeo mom under the bright blue sky at the Energy Capital Youth Rodeo in Gillette, WY 2024. If you're new to the recruiting process, start with our Essential Guide to College Rodeo Recruiting , which explains how the entire system works for athletes and families. If you're waiting until your senior year to get serious about college rodeo recruiting, you're already behind. Most high school rodeo athletes (and their parents) underestimate...
College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsThe Essential Guide to College Rodeo Recruiting (Parents & Athletes)
Discover the ins and outs of college rodeo recruiting. This essential guide helps parents and athletes navigate college rodeo recruiting effectively.
College Rodeo Recruiting BasicsDidn’t Sign on National Signing Day? Don’t panic.
Tarleton State Cowboy talks to Corey Ross at the College National Finals. Just like other Collegiate Athletics, College Rodeo does have a National Signing Day- March 1. It has come and gone, and if you didn’t sign a Letter of Intent, you might be feeling like you missed the college rodeo boat and maybe even questioning if you should try. If you are a Senior in high school, first, take a deep breath—there’s still time to make this work! Your college rodeo journey isn’t over, and there are...