“We Intend to Stay Here and Be Here”: Rodeo That Has Contributed $255,000,000 for the Community Aims to Stand Their Ground

Rumors are a piece of unverified information. But, the problem is that people tend to believe them, and they travel faster than verified information. They create a chaotic situation that must be addressed quickly to minimize its effects. San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo went through a similar situation this week.

After media reports suggested that the NBA team San Antonio Spurs and their neighbor in the city are exploring venues downtown to shift their arena, the rumor about the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo following suit, started to revolve in the community. The authorities had to specify that they have never thought of it nor have any intention to do it in the near future.

San Antonio Rodeo denies the rumors

The rumor of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo shifting its arena like the Spurs created panic. The rodeo enthusiasts and the local community were confused and sad. They needed answers to questions that were popping into their minds. Why would the rodeo, which has contributed $255 million over the last few decades to the community, leave?

The officials of the rodeo specified that they are staying at the AT&T Center and Freeman grounds. The director of the rodeo, Cody Davenport said, “Everyone is caught up in the rumors and we are not exempt from that“. He further said that they are receiving a  barrage of calls and messages asking if those rumors were true. He set aside the rumors saying, “This is our home. We intend to stay here and be here“.

Next year in February the rodeo will celebrate its 75 years which is a historic milestone. Speaking on the next  February event he said, “We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, our over 6,000 volunteers, our media partners, and sponsors“. The director also said they are committed to Bexar County and will contribute towards the upliftment of youth.

History of the San Antonio Rodeo

The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is held in February every year over two weeks. There have been changes from its start but have been for the better. In 1950, Bexar County donated 175 acres of land and gave a $1.75 million bond for the construction of  Freeman Coliseum. At its inauguration, more than  250,000 people attended the rodeo. Now, the event welcomes more than 1.3 million visitors every year.

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In 1984, they started scholarship programs to encourage the youth to study agriculture. Since then, a $90,000  scholarship to fifteen students is awarded every year. In 2003, the venue changed to AT&T Center. The new venue added more than 16,000 spectators in every event. This resulted in Hall of Fame status by PRCA. The purpose of the event is to preserve the more than 400 years of rodeo tradition.

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