03/15/2026
I was honored to be the speaker last night at the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team banquet. In 2013 I was asked to help as their “advisor” had just left. There were 6 kids in the “club” at the time and only 4 competed. I’m wired that if I’m in it’s 110%! My message last night was about PASSION. In everything you do it should be with passion if you want success. I was passionate about riding bulls and found success. I was passionate about coaching the rodeo team and found success as well. Getting the club shifted into the athletic program. Obtaining scholarships to recruit talent. Was able to team up with the late Garrett Nokes, 2005 NFR bulldogger and perennial top 25 calf roper, as my timed event coach. The team then started winning. We won team regional titles and there were individual event titles as well. An opportunity to be my son’s wrestling coach came to me and my family is number 1. I asked Ethan if he wanted me as his head coach and with no hesitation he said yes.
I stepped down from the rodeo position and Aukai Kaai filled my position. And that passion was elevated yet again. Aukai has made this team a perennial powerhouse in the college rodeo world. His teams have shattered records both regionally and nationally. 2025 one of his bull riders, Trace Scarlavai, became Mid Plains Community College’s first ever National Champion for any of their sports. And yet the future is looking even brighter.
Success is measured individually. One persons definition of success is different than another’s.
So I left them with this message:
“No matter if you’re young or old, to find YOUR success it takes passion. Find that passion in everything you do and go kick its ass!”
