College 'Daze' Rodeo opens Thursday at ENMU

Rodeo takes center stage this weekend at Eastern New Mexico University.

ENMU will host 17 other schools Thursday through Saturday in the annual College "Daze" Rodeo at Lewis-Cooper Arena. 

The rodeo arena is about five minutes southwest of the ENMU campus at 2221 W. 18th St. in Portales.

ENMU's Shacie Marr, who competes in breakaway roping, barrel racing and goat-tying events, said the event appeals to much of the community.

"Especially in Portales ... There's a lot of farmer, rancher type of people," Marr said before motioning to sophomore Bowdy Neece, who competes in tie-down and team roping. 

"I mean, Bowdy's from here. I'm sure you get a lot of friends and family," Marr said. 

Neece nodded in agreement. He added that "this is the one that has the most number of contestants in it every year, and it's just one of the bigger ones."

Entering the rodeo, Marr and Neece hope ENMU succeeds this weekend to put it on the right track for a national championship. The women's team hasn't won a Southwest Region Team Championship since going back-to-back in 2014 and 2015. 

Marr is a fifth-year senior who placed fifth in the goat tying, and top-15 in the breakaway and the barrel racing last season. 

Hailing from Tularosa near Las Cruces, Marr said she had an opportunity to go to New Mexico State after high school, but chose ENMU because of head coach Albert Flinn. 

"He puts us in the best position to do good at the rodeos. If I ever need anything or any of the girls or guys on the team ever need anything, all we have to do is ask," Marr said of Flinn. 

Flinn, an ENMU rodeo alum and former banker who transitioned into coaching, is entering his 18th season. 

According to his ENMU profile, "Flinn has mentored 26 National Collegiate Rodeo Qualifiers during his time at Eastern New Mexico, six of which went on to claim individual National Championships in their respective events, and one of which claimed the Reserve All-Around Championship."

"He is a lot older, and he doesn't have to do this. He could just retire and be done, but he still tries to help out and be there for us because he loves it and he cares about us," Marr said. 

Flinn's steadfast approach, and members of ENMU rodeo looking to make 2025 a memorable season, will be on full display come this weekend. 

"It's a good time and you get to see a different sport that a lot of people don't ever get to see," Marr said.