Rebels’ cowboy corrals NCAA crown

Tim Graham

Thursday, June 25, 1998 | 10:45 a.m.

UNLV won another national championship last weekend.

Unlike the golf and tennis programs in recent years, however, it won't be honored by the school.

There will be no parade down Fremont Street. There will be no proclamation to commemorate the feat with a special day. There will be no push from a senator for a presidential visit.

Ross Coleman will have to enjoy his all-around rodeo title in relative anonymity. The 19-year-old freshman won it at the College National Finals Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D.

Yet when the Rebel golf team won the NCAA team title earlier this month it was bestowed with parades, proclamations and the like. When Luke Smith won the NCAA singles and doubles championships in 1997 he made front-page headlines.

UNLV has yet to issue a press release on Coleman. Such an oversight is baffling, considering the university could use all of the positive attention it can get.

"It would be a good thing for (UNLV) to recognize the rodeo team a little more," Coleman said.

"It's kind of a different deal at UNLV. Lots of people -- teachers and students -- don't even know that there is a rodeo team. They just kind of blow it off compared to the golf team."

Coleman dominated the all-around standings, scoring 440 points. He finished second in both the bareback and bull riding events. His nearest competitor, Travis Goad of Panhandle State, finished with 207.5 points.

Coleman's victory marked the second straight year a Rebel won the top honor. Preston Williams claimed the buckle last year, but his numbers were much less impressive. Williams won with 182.5 points.

The Rebels entered the CNFR ranked first in the country but finished fourth.

"They (UNLV administrators) don't understand how cool rodeo is," Coleman said. "If they knew what it meant to ride a bull, they'd figure it out. Rodeo is one of the greatest things in the world.

"UNLV is a good team, and they have great coaches."

Danny Brady, who won the National Finals Rodeo bareback championship in 1983, coaches the riding events at UNLV. The Henderson native noted UNLV is missing out by ignoring the team.

"It's very frustrating," Brady said. "We put a lot of hard time in. It gets frustrating when you don't get the acknowledgment. All year we led the nation, and were ranked No. 1 going into the finals."

According to Brady, Coleman comes from quality stock and is a solid citizen deserving of a university's appreciation.

"Ross is, for a young kid, very talented," Brady said. "He was raised with a good upbringing and good coaching. His dad and the folks he was around did a good job with him.

"I'm not surprised at all (he won the title). He wouldn't be surprised either, and not from an arrogant standpoint. He's just a very confident kid. He's not a braggart. He has a lot of determination and practices hard."

Coleman, of Molalla, Ore., was the high school national all-around champ last year. He already is concentrating on professional events. By collegiate rodeo rules, however, he still can defend his crown for UNLV if he returns next year.

"You're allowed to compete in 130 (pro rodeos) a year," Coleman said. "I'm going to try to max it. Hopefully, I'll do good enough to win me a pile."