News & Notes from the Rodeo Trail, April 13
Award-winning clown Justin Rumford, who goes by the nickname Rumpshaker, has been entertaining ProRodeo crowds since 2010. Rumford has been named the PRCA Clown of the Year the last eight years. He will use some of his free time to interact with ProRodeo fans at 7 p.m. (ET), April 17 on the PRCA Facebook page (@PRCAProRodeo). Click the link to join in at the PRCA Facebook Page
Don’t forget to like the page and don’t miss out! To see old Facebook Live interviews, click the video section on PRCA’s Facebook page.
While everyone is dealing with these trying times personally and professionally, the PRCA is keeping everyone in its thoughts.
Because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the PRCA is postponing its 2020 PRCA Sponsor Summit.
“As we’ve all experienced, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected our communities around the world,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “The PRCA family is no different, and we are facing the same unprecedented challenges as are our friends, families and neighbors. This involves all of us, and we will get through it together. Our primary concern is for the health and well-being of you and your families. As such, priority one for us will be to get rodeoing as soon as we get the ‘all clear.’ Our team is working to consider every alternative where we can do this safely with you.”
One replacement opportunity would be to conduct a joint NFR Planning and Sponsor Summit in coordination with ProRodeo Hall of Fame activities in August – but the PRCA will keep applicable parties informed in a timely manner as things develop.
Stay safe and #StayHomeCowboyStrong.
The Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team in North Platte, Neb., will have a new assistant coach beginning this summer.
Aukai Kaai, a former bull rider for the team and a former PRCA permit holder, has been transitioning into the role for the past several months. He will officially take over the assistant title July 1, after the current rodeo season is over, and will work primarily with the team’s roughstock competitors.
“It feels awesome to be able to give back to the program that opened so many doors for me,” Kaai said in a press release. “After Mid-Plains, I transferred to a university. Altogether, I did five years of college and got all my school paid for because of rodeo. I’m looking forward to helping others succeed through rodeo as well.”
Up to this point, the team has been led by Garrett Nokes, timed-event coach, and Dustin Elliott, roughstock coach. Kaai will take over much of Elliott’s responsibilities as Elliott steps back into more of a volunteer role.
Nokes is excited to have Kaai come onboard.
“I’m sure looking forward to working with Aukai,” Nokes said. “Over the years, he was one of my favorite kids. We kept in contact some after he graduated, and when he moved back to Nebraska, I was hoping he could be involved with the team again. I think this is good timing for everybody and a good opportunity for him. I’m really pumped about Aukai being part of the program.”
Kaai is originally from Waimānalo, Hawaii. The four-time National High School Finals Rodeo qualifier and three-time state champion was recruited by Elliott in 2014. Kaai competed for MPCC from 2014-16 in bull riding and team roping.
While at Mid-Plains, he finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Great Plains Region bull riding standings.
Kaai went on to rodeo for Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business.
Courtesy of PRCA