The much-anticipated John Cook Team Roping Classic will take place this weekend, April 12-13 at the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln. The inaugural event, a nod to the former Nebraska Volleyball Coach’s newfound interest in rodeo, will serve as a fundraiser for the rodeo program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Event Chairman and Announcer Travis Schauda says the event was born out of a desire to elevate the UNL Rodeo Team.
“John and I have kind of been on a pseudo committee to raise funds and awareness for the UNL Rodeo athletes to get a permanent practice facility,” he said.
Cook says the ball got rolling at Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell last summer.
“We were sitting in [Travis’] trailer at the Burwell Rodeo, and he pulled out a folder with ten pages of notes,” Cook recalls. “He said, ‘We’re going to do a John Cook Roping.’”
After much contemplation and discussion, Schauda says he and Cook decided that gunning for a practice facility was not enough.
“They can be the best athletes in the world and you can have a wonderful facility, but if other schools are dangling scholarships out there then you might not get them,” said Schauda.
An initial investment of $1 million from the Kimmel Foundation spurred plans to be drawn up for a Rodeo & Equine Sports Complex, but additional funding is needed to push the project forward.
UNL Rodeo Coach Wyatt Clark says Cook’s involvement is making a meaningful impact on the program’s visibility and momentum.
“For him to partner with the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Rodeo Team adds a whole new level of followers and support for the team. We are truly grateful.”
The event will kick off on Saturday with a roping school taught by horse trainer and two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Billie Jack Saebens. A youth roping will follow that evening.
On Sunday, the roping chutes will fly open for “Nebraska’s Richest One Day Team Roping.” The long rounds for both the 9.5 and 13.5 ropings will take place in the morning, with the short round to follow that afternoon. The short round will feature mutton busting, a drill team performance, a 13.5 short-go calcutta, and an invite-only roping for individuals who have been formative in Cook’s team roping journey.
For those interested in watching Cook rope, he will be in action in the 9.5 roping, and will rope in the invitational portion of the short go as well. He will be aboard No. 415, a horse he famously purchased with a contract bonus from Nebraska Volleyball. Through a series of online polls, No. 415 was voted by Husker Nation to be named “Rev.”
Rev came from the Pitzer Ranch near Ericson, Nebraska, but was trained by Mark and Danielle Wray of Ord. The father-daughter duo have stayed in touch with Cook, and helped him progress in his roping and horsemanship journey.
Danielle says the progress Cook has made is nothing short of remarkable.
“He’s come so far since I watched him a year ago,” she said. “He’s a good example of if you really want to do something, there is nothing that will stop you.”
With Cook’s retirement from Nebraska Volleyball officially underway, he looks forward to giving back to the robust community he has built.
“I’ve become really passionate about the horse industry and what these cattle rancher guys are doing,” said Cook. “I’m just trying to have fun with it and get as much exposure to them as I can, and be part of their world because they are wonderful people.”
Tickets for the John Cook Team Roping Classic can be purchased for $20 in advance at The Fort in Lincoln. Tickets will also be available the day of the event.
Listen to our interview with Event Chairman and Announcer Travis Schauda:
