LEVELLAND – South Plains College is set to host the final event of the 2025-26 collegiate rodeo season from April 23-25 at the Mallet Event Center in Levelland under the leadership of SPC Head Rodeo Coach Kerry Doster.
This event will bring top-tier rodeo action to SPC’s home turf and continue the tradition of excellence in West Texas rodeo.
Beginning with the 2025-26 season, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Board of Directors approved the replacement of the Southwest Region with two new divisions: the Lone Star Region and Caprock Region. The Lone Star Region comprises schools such as Angelo State University, Ranger College, Tarleton State University, Sul Ross State University and Weatherford College. The Caprock Region features SPC, Texas Tech University, Odessa College, Eastern New Mexico University and several other institutions from West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
“The birth of the Caprock Region is an exciting development for college rodeo and South Plains College,” Doster said. “It allows us to host an annual NIRA-sanctioned event right here at home. We’re proud to host the final rodeo of the season, where regional champions will be crowned, and qualifiers for the College National Finals in Casper, Wyoming, will be determined.”
Over the past four years, the NIRA has experienced consistent membership growth, reflecting the increasing popularity and competitiveness of collegiate rodeo. Founded in 1949 as a nonprofit organization, the NIRA originally operated under three regional divisions governed by a student-led board. By 1972, that number expanded to 10 regions, and for more than 30 years, student-athletes have competed across 11 established divisions.
In 2022, the NIRA reported 3,493 members nationwide—a number that has since risen to 3,815, with more than 800 competing in the Southwest Region alone. In response to this rapid growth and to better manage competition and travel, coaches and representatives from Southwest Region schools submitted a proposal to divide the region. The NIRA Board of Directors approved this proposal during the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR).
The NIRA will maintain its format of 10 rodeos per region throughout the season, and CNFR qualification rules will remain unchanged. The top three athletes in each event and the two highest-scoring men’s and women’s teams from each region will advance. The restructuring is expected to bring an additional 35 competitors to the CNFR, providing more opportunities for athletes to contend for national titles.