By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
The Montana State University Bobcat Rodeo team will escape subzero temperatures in the Gallatin Valley this weekend as they fly Saturday morning to Washington, D.C. to ride in the Inaugural Parade on Monday afternoon, Jan. 20. The trip came together quickly, requiring funding from sponsors in the final days leading up to the event.
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke nominated the team in late November, and the Bobcats’ application was accepted on Dec. 22. They will be one of roughly 40 units in the parade.
“It’s quite an honor… They said it was a record number of applicants. So to make it through that process is a pretty big deal, and shows how much we mean to the state of Montana and the people around here,” head coach Kyle Whitaker told EBS in a phone call Friday.
“No matter your politics that is a pretty big deal,” he added. “And most schools, most rodeo teams wouldn’t be in that conversation.”
In a press release, Rep. Zinke said he’s incredibly proud of the team.
“By selecting the Bobcats Rodeo Team, the inaugural committee chose to highlight not only Montana values but the West,” Zinke stated. “Our culture, heritage and values matter, and President Trump knows that. The Bobcats are the finest in their sport and will make Montana proud—even Griz fans!”
Whitaker said the trip will cost $50,000. Montana State alum Steve Erban helped tackle the logistics, planning the travel and accommodations.
When unexpected costs arose this week ahead the ceremony, Whitaker said a few donors and companies stepped up on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 15 and 16, to help make the trip possible: Mike Hope of the Rocking R Bar; Paul Makarechian of Lone Mountain Ranch; Mike Ingram of Ingram Quarter Horses; Teton Ridge; Outlaw Partners, the publisher of Explore Big Sky; Ryan Growney of the South Point Hotel; and a parent of a rider.
“It’s huge,” Whitaker said. “It’s amazing, the support. You know, this is a big opportunity for Montana State Rodeo to be on a worldwide stage, and we couldn’t do without these guys coming through last-minute to help out and make sure we can participate in this event.”
Whitaker said he’s been constantly “blown away” by the support for MSU’s rodeo team. He’s been coaching the team for four years, and he said it helps the job feel worthwhile to see how many people invest and believe in the Bobcat Rodeo.
The 2025 Presidential Inauguration will be unique: According to Reuters, president-elect Donald Trump announced today, Jan. 17 in a social media post that both the inauguration and parade will be held indoors due to below-freezing temperatures and snow forecasted in the D.C. area.
Much of the team, including Whitaker, have never been to D.C. They’re looking forward to a new experience.
“We don’t really know what to expect… But this is going to be something that they’re going to talk about for the rest of our lives,” Whitaker said.
Of the 53-athlete team, 36 chose to attend plus two coaches.
Rodeo team rides toward national championship
At the end of the 2024-25 fall season, Whitaker said both the mens and womens teams are ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky region. They’ll have six rodeos this spring, with the first two being hosted at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.
The womens team won the national championship in 2021, but the mens team has a 30-year championship drought since winning in 1995. In early June, Whitaker is hopeful that one or both teams will win a championship at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming.
Whitaker said sophomore Michaela McCormick stands out for the womens team.
“She’s quite a story. Her mother passed away about a year ago right now, and she’s just kept going and competing. She’s on the dean’s list all the time, she’s just a great student and a great athlete,” Whitaker said.
On the mens team, Whitaker said there’s a lot of really talented cowboys, including sophomore Cole Gerhardt and junior Cole Detton.
“We want to have kids here at Montana State that everybody can be proud of,” Whitaker said. “I’m really proud of this team. I think that we have a lot of talent. And they’re good kids too. They’re good students, and they take care of business.”
Whitaker said the invitation to the Inaugural Parade is not just a testament to his current team, but also a nod the many alumni of the program who have helped build it into what it is today.
“You have to earn respect, and we’ve earned it over the years, and this is a symbol of that.”
