The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is committed to providing an exceptional educational and hands-on learning experience for students engaged with UNL rodeo and those interested in the equine industry.
In Nebraska, more than 180,000 horses are used for leisure, competition and agricultural work. Each year, more UNL students participate in equine programs, and 4-H youth equine programs continue to expand across the state. The demand for educated equine professionals is growing. Now is the time to develop the facilities required to serve this increased interest in rodeo and equine sports while also adding to Nebraska’s skilled workforce.
To meet this growing need and encourage more students to pursue careers in Nebraska’s equine fields, UNL has embarked on an exciting project to create a $3 million state-of-the-art rodeo and equine sports complex. Spearheaded by a lead gift of $1 million from the Kimmel Foundation, the complex will provide:
- an upgraded practice facility for the UNL Rodeo Team;
- an on-campus boarding facility for the UNL Rodeo Team’s horses;
- space for more experiential learning opportunities for College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) students; and
- opportunities to increase extension equine programming for youth and adults.
The addition of the Rodeo & Equine Sports Complex to East Campus will bolster UNL’s ability to attract students from across the state and nation who otherwise might have left the state for more robust programs. Most importantly, it will help retain Nebraska students interested in rodeo and equine sports through an increased sense of community.
The Rodeo & Equine Sports Complex will give CASNR space for additional equine science classes. Students participating in classes through the Department of Animal Science and the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will benefit from hands-on learning opportunities offered in the new facility. These students will help fill needed jobs in the equine field statewide.
CASNR’s current facilities limit the ability to offer programming to external audiences. Once completed, the Rodeo & Equine Sports Complex will provide opportunities to educate more groups of interested stakeholders through camps and clinics.
"The Nebraska Rodeo & Equine Sports Complex will position Nebraska to be the destination for students across the state and beyond who are interested in equine sports, expand our experiential learning programming, provide a one-of-a-kind teaching and learning facility, and connect youth and extension education activities on campus for the benefit of all Nebraska."
- Tiffany Heng-Moss, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
"I've always told students it has to feel like home for you and has to feel like you can see yourself in that venue, facility, and on that campus. This will help us do that for our rodeo students."
-Deb VanOverbeke, Department Head, Department of Animal Science
Want To Get Involved?
Your support of the Rodeo & Equine Sports Complex will help build facilities that inspire students to attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It will provide transformational educational experiences that turn the equine students of today into the dedicated equine professionals of tomorrow. Your gift will make equine-related education available to learners of all ages. Naming opportunities are available for major gifts. All gifts of $5,000 and higher will be recognized on site.
Gifts in support of the privately funded rodeo & equine sports complex can be made to the University of Nebraska Foundation. Naming opportunities within the complex are also available. For more information, contact Marcia White or Jessie Mullendore. Gifts of any amount can be made through the NU Foundation.
