PBR Mourns the Passing of Jerome Robinson (1947-2022)
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – The PBR is saddened to learn of the passing of the legendary Jerome Robinson Sunday at his home in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Robinson, 74, has been PBR’s longtime Arena Director for the last 29 years, and he will go down in history as one of the most influential men in all of Western Sports.
The 1999 PBR Ring of Honor inductee was born October 16, 1947, in Ogallala, Nebraska. He set his sights on being a cowboy from the minute he attended the National Western Stock Show in Denver as a 3-year-old with his grandmother.
Robinson, however, would go on to be so much more than just a talented cowboy in the arena, and he would go on to impact millions of people all over the world through his pioneering contributions to the Western sports industry.
A graduate of Colorado State University, Robinson qualified for the NFR 11 times, beginning in 1970, served as the Bull Riding Director on the PRCA Board for four years and Vice President for one, and helped develop the building of the PRCA headquarters and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, which he was inducted to in 2019.
One of Robinson’s most heralded accomplishments of his career was his creation of the centralized computer entry system (PROCOM). This system utilized a computer to implement rules and guidelines of the PRCA Rulebook and a bank of toll-free phone lines to communicate with rodeo contestants, stock contractor, secretaries, and committees. PROCOM consolidated over 500 individual rodeo entry offices across the nation into one, facilitating a vastly more efficient method of contesting in and producing PRCA rodeos.
Robinson also hosted bull riding schools in Fort Collins, coaching a slew of Hall of Famers or future World Champions such as Cody Lambert, Michael Gaffney, and Owen Washburn.
An injury in 1982 wound up possibly being a blessing in disguise for Robinson. The then 35-year-old decided to retire and get involved in the rodeo production business, specializing in indoor rodeos, beginning a career that would take him all over the world.
Robinson quickly evolved into one of the best rodeo producers in the industry, booking venues, hauling in the dirt, and bringing with him the best and most respectable crew in the business. In 1985, he would produce the ESPN televised rodeo series “Winston Tour,” which showcased the best athletes in all of rodeo. Robinson would help grow the sport of rodeo globally, producing in events in countries such as Japan, France, Finland, Oman, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Venezuela.
When the PBR was founded, Robinson and his production company provided all the chutes, panels, arena dirt, lights, and setting up the show. It was the beginning of a fruitful partnership, and Robinson remained an integral part of the PBR framework and family ever since,
Even more so, it was hard to ever run into Robinson without him offering a helping hand, a caring smile, and a loving hello no matter what day of the week or time it was.
The PBR will be sharing its plans for honoring Robinson in the coming days. For now, please keep his wife, Dorya, daughter, Amy, and family in your prayers.
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