BHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame announces new inductees

   

   

   

       

           

       

       

           Tony Chytka stands with his sculpture of the BHSU mascot "Sting."  Chytka will be inducted into BHSU&rsquos Rodeo Hall of Fame for his success in bull riding and steer wrestling as a BHSU athlete in the 1970s.    

       

       

            

       

       

           BHSU athlete Pat Chapman demonstrates his saddle bronc riding skills during a competition in 1972. Chapman will be inducted, posthumously, into BHSU&rsquos Rodeo Hall of Fame March 28. Source: University Archives, Leland D. Case Library, BHSU.

       

       

            

       

       

           Cindy Simmons Goeringer, an all-around and goat tying champion during her time as an athlete on the BHSU Rodeo Team, will be inducted into the university&rsquos Hall of Fame March 28.  

       

       

           

       

       

           Gordon (left) and Lil O&rsquoDell will be inducted into BHSU&rsquos Rodeo Hall of Fame this month. Lil advised the Rodeo Team from 1989 until 1999.  Now retired, the O&rsquoDell&rsquos assist in organizing wagon train trips.    

       

   



Black Hills State University will induct three athletes and two contributors into the BHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame during the Cowboys and Candlelight Dinner and Auction Saturday, March 28 at 5 p.m. at the Spearfish Holiday Inn and Convention Center.  



The BHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees are: Tony Chytka, Class of 1977, bull riding and steer wrestling Pat Chapman, Class of 1971, bareback and saddle bronc Cindy Simmons Goeringer, Class of 2000, goat tying and Lil and Gordon O&rsquoDell as contributors to BHSU Rodeo.



Glen Lammers, head coach of BHSU Rodeo, said the university&rsquos rich history in the sport helps the rodeo program continue to achieve great success.



"We are proud to honor the accomplishments of past rodeo athletes and the commitment of our supporters through the BHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame. The achievements of the past have helped us get to where we are today with our program," said Lammers.  



Tony graduated from BHSU in 1977 after winning second place in bull riding at regionals and third in bull riding at nationals that same year. He was also the All-Around Champion, Bull Riding Champion, and placed second in steer wrestling at a regional competition in 1975. Tony, a sculptor artist by trade, currently resides in Belle Fourche. He sculpted the large "Sting" Yellow Jacket mascot outside of the Donald E. Young Sports &amp Fitness Center on the BHSU campus.



Posthumous inductee Pat Chapman graduated from BHSU in 1971. Pat placed second in bareback and saddle bronc at regionals in 1967, was named Regional Reserve Champion in Saddle Bronc the following two years, and placed third in saddle bronc at the national competition in 1969.  



Cindy Simmons Goeringer graduated from BHSU in 2000 following a successful rodeo career in the mid-1980s. Cindy won fourth place in goat tying at nationals in 1983, was named Regional Reserve Champion in Goat Tying in 1984, followed by an all-around regional championship in 1985 and placing 10th in the all-around competition at nationals in 1986.



Lil and Gordon O&rsquoDell will be inducted as contributors to BHSU Rodeo. Lil, who retired after managing the BHSU print center for many years, was the advisor for the Rodeo Club from 1989 to 1999 and her husband Gordon also supported the rodeo program.



Tickets to the Cowboys and Candlelight Dinner and Auction March 28 in Spearfish are available until Monday, March 23. The event begins with a social at 5 p.m., prime rib buffet at 6 p.m., followed by the Hall of Fame induction, auction and live entertainment. Tickets are $35 per person or $65 for a couple. All proceeds from the dinner and auction benefit BHSU Rodeo. To reserve tickets, contact Lammers at 605-642-6852 or Glen.Lammers@BHSU.edu.