The 1967 Tarleton State College NIRA National Champion Rodeo Team and founders of Tarleton’s NIRA Rodeo Program were Bobby Hungate, Charles Bitters, Lionel Lane, Terry Walls, Johnny Kirk Edmonson, Billy Albin, and Randy Magers. At its first Southern Region competition in 1965, the team finished second regionally and fourth nationally. In 1966, they placed first regionally and third nationally. After changing to the Southwest Region, the 1967 Tarleton team won their region and went on to win the NIRA National Championship. They qualified all four years for the nationals as individuals and as a team. Because of their initiative, Tarleton State University developed an outstanding rodeo program and winning tradition. The team was inducted into the Tarleton Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2013.
