Broncs, Barbeque, Line Dancing & More
On the evening of October 1, the Cliff and Martha Hansen Arena buzzed with the sounds and spirit of people coming together for a common purpose. Students, alumni, and Laramie locals gathered for the annual Tribute to Steamboat, the event that kicks off Homecoming week at the University of Wyoming. The UW Alumni Association hosted the celebration, with support from UniWyo Credit Union, to honor Steamboat, who is the famous bucking horse seen on Wyoming license plates and a symbol of the cowboy state’s resilience.
Steamboat was more than just a horse; he was a legend. Born in the early 1900s, he was fierce and untamable, which made him a rodeo icon and later the symbol of UW athletics and Wyoming pride. The Tribute to Steamboat event keeps that legacy alive, mixing rodeo competition with genuine community connection.
This year’s tribute began at 5 PM with Dickey’s serving barbecue and drinks, drawing crowds to the Hansen Arena. Students and alumni mingled on the arena floor before the event started. A photo booth was set up, and vendors were handing out free items to attendees.
At 6 PM, the rodeo began with a ranch bronc ride showdown, an exciting competition that features working cowboys using everyday saddles as they try to stay on the horse for eight seconds. Every time a rider would complete the ride, the crowd responded with loud cheers and stomping boots.
The event also included a dance competition, wheelbarrow races, and wild steer riding. The rodeo producer also brought out a young bucking horse and let it run around the arena while reciting the story of Steamboat to the crowd.
The event featured many notable alumni, staff, and community members. UW president Ed Siedel was seen in the wagon being pulled by Pistol & Pete, and Casey Rislov, author of A Home for Steamboat, and illustrator Zak Pullen were signing books all night. The announcer even put the spotlight on the UW Rodeo Team, as they are pulling far ahead of their competition this season.
Following the rodeo, the dirt dance hosted by the Cowboy Country Swing Club (CCSC) transformed the arena into a lively dance floor. Under the lights of the Hansen arena, students and alumni joined hands for swing dancing, two-stepping, and line dances that lasted late into the evening.
The dance was quite entertaining, watching students learn new dances and incorporate fun lifts. For many students, especially those in agricultural programs, rodeo teams, or clubs, the Tribute to Steamboat means more than just an event. It feels like a homecoming of values and shared identity.
Many students had a great time at the event and would return in future years. “My favorite part of the tribute event was the wild calf riding. It was so funny seeing all those people chasing around animals,” Shyanne Rossi, student at UW, said.
The evening ended with several crowned champions, including Beau Lake in the bronc riding. Chi Omega & Pi Kappa Alpha took home the win in the dance competition, while the 3-man team, Tate Talkington, Kash Reynolds, and Bodie Herring, won the wild steer riding.
Some students, especially freshmen, had never experienced an event like this one before. “I was reluctant to come to this event because I was not sure if it would be my type of thing, but after being here with everyone, it reminded me why I chose to attend the University of Wyoming,” Robin John, student, said after the event.
As everything came to a close, Tribute to Steamboat left behind much more than just an empty arena. It brought back a sense of belonging and pride that lasts through the rest of Homecoming week. For those who attended, the memory of that first night of HOCO, with broncs bucking, flags flying, and Cowboys dancing, will stay in the heart of UW tradition.
