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ANRS & Rodeo Exes
PO Box 539
Ft Stockton, TX 79735
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The ANRS & Rodeo Exes Association is an independent non-profit, charitable organization recognized
by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as an eligible 501(c)(3) entity. The mission of the Association
is to promote Sul Ross State University and to raise funds to be disbursed to deserving Agricultural
students and rodeo participants by the University. Neither the Board, nor the membership, of the
Association has any part in the selection of scholarship recipients. Membership to the Association
is open to all individuals interested in the mission and activities of the Association.
Membership is $50 annually. New or renewal memberships can be sent to:
ANRS & Rodeo Exes Treasurer
PO Box 539
Fort Stockton, Texas 79735
Additional information regarding the Association can be obtained from the same address.
Jim Watkins began his freshman year at Sul Ross in the fall of 1963. He came from Missouri as a bull rider and bareback rider. Watkins lettered four years on the rodeo team from 1964-1968. He was elected President of the Letterman’s Club by all athletes at Sul Ross his senior year.
After graduation with his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, Watkins rode bulls professionally full time for one year. He was then side-lined with an injury and began his teaching career in Odessa, TX in 1969.
Jim taught industrial technology at Crockett Jr. High while continuing to ride bulls and judge both college and PRCA rodeos. Watkins had won or placed at most of the major rodeos in the U.S. and had judged a lot of them as well.
Watkins became the first Odessa College rodeo coach in 1983 when the program was started. He continued to teach industrial technology at Crockett Jr. High and coach the OC Wranglers for fifteen more years as a part timer at OC.
Jim became a full time employee at Odessa College in 1998 and continues to coach the rodeo team and serve as director of the Odessa College Rodeo and Agriculture Graham Center.
Rodeo as a varsity sport at Odessa College has established a successful history over the past twenty-five years. The OC Wranglers have won 14 regional event titles, two regional team championships, 11 national event titles and one national team championship. The OC Wranglers have qualified at least one athlete to the College National Finals 22 of the past 25 years.
Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor which can be bestowed on an individual by the ANRS & Rodeo Exes Association. This honor is for ANRS graduates or friends and recognizes those who have represented the Association, the ANRS Department, or Sul Ross State University with distinction through their personal and/or professional achievements which brought honor to our University. Nominations may be submitted by any member at any time. The ANRS & Rodeo Exes Board of Directors will periodically review nominations and determines inductees into the Hall of Fame. Inductions are not necessarily held annually, but rather when a sufficient pool of inductees is obtained. The induction ceremony is at the Annual Reunion held the last weekend of July in Alpine.
Make a nomination for a deservation individual for induction into the ANRS & Rodeo Exes Hall of Fame!
There is certainly room among these fine individuals for additional honorees. Please give some consideration to nominating a deserving individual for induction into the Hall of Fame.
