The Fresno State Bulldoggers rodeo team is set to host a home event on Friday, November 7, at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds. The competition will feature both men’s and women’s teams that are currently ranked second in the West Coast region.
The day’s events begin at 8 a.m. with a slack round that is open to the public free of charge. The final round takes place at 6 p.m., with general admission tickets available for $15 either online or in person. Fresno State students can purchase tickets for $12 with a campus ID, while veterans and children aged five and under may attend for free.
Fresno State students Brayden Liberio (bull riding), Sutton Mang (breakaway roping), and Garrett Mathias (team roping heeler) are each leading their respective West Coast Region standings. Additional team members Kendall Patterson (second, team roping header), Tyler Jones (third, team roping header), and Collin Snyder (second, team roping heeler) are also ranked among the top three in their events.
Following this event, the Bulldoggers will compete at Bakersfield College’s rodeo at the Kern County Fairgrounds over the weekend of November 8 and 9. Earlier in October, they participated in an event hosted by Feather River College in Quincy.
Looking ahead, after further competitions next spring, the top two men’s and women’s teams from each region will secure automatic spots at the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo scheduled for June 14–20 in Casper, Wyoming. Students who rank among the top three individually in their events can also qualify from one of twelve regions nationwide.
Several Fresno State athletes have previously qualified for national finals: Tyler Jones competed in team roping at nationals from 2023 to 2025 and saddle bronc riding in 2025; Sage Pearce took part in breakaway roping during 2024 and 2025; Brayden Liberio competed in bull riding last year; Tanner Kerr made his debut last June across multiple events including steer wrestling and tie-down roping.
Coach Uhuru Adem leads the program as a former two-time collegiate national finals qualifier himself. He has guided three men’s teams to national bids since taking over as coach—highlighted by a thirteenth-place finish in 2022—and helped secure nineteenth place for the women’s team that same year along with another qualification during the recent season.
The Fresno State rodeo program began operations nearly eight decades ago before becoming an official club in 1949—the same year as the first collegiate national finals held in San Francisco.
More details about upcoming competitions and club news can be found on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
