We provide scholarships for students from rural areas that traditionally do not attend college by hosting a scholarship auction in conjunction with the annual college rodeo.

I am writing on behalf of the rodeo team at the University of Tennessee at Martin. While our student-athletes receive an excellent education, our scholarship money is limited to what we can raise.  Having to ask for product donations is the most humbling and unfun part of an otherwise great job.  But most of our kids come from small rural towns and need financial assistance to be able to attend college. Many will be the first in their family to do so. The lure of being a member of a team, being able to bring their horse to campus, and the encouragement of a coach to walk them through admissions is vital in giving many the courage to take the big step to leave the familiarity of home and attend college. 

At UTM they will receive much more than just practice on their roping and riding skills. There is a weekly team meeting in which they learn life skills, such as goal setting, the importance of attitude, striving for excellence and overcoming obstacles and the individual’s value to the team. Each team member does 25 hours of community service and last semester 22 of our team members made the Dean’s List. 

Tuition has sky-rocketed and many students are discouraged about their ability to financially attend college.  We have already lost some as financial casualties. To help with this dilemma our team is hosting a scholarship auction April 9, in conjunction with the 54th Annual UTM College Rodeo.  There are usually about 10,000 spectators and 220 contestants representing 16 different colleges during the 3 days of the rodeo. Would it be possible for you to invest in the future of these student-athletes by making a product donation to our scholarship auction?  We will list all donations and donor’s websites on our Utm Rodeo Facebook page and other social media outlets. I know you get many requests and I appreciate you considering mine.