Coach Cook and NBR Merch

There are two things we love here in Burwell; the sport of rodeo and Nebraska Cornhusker athletics. This year we get to combine them.

We are beyond excited to have Nebraska Husker Volleyball Head Coach John Cook as our Grand Marshall for the rodeo. In honor of Coach Cook joining our rodeo family, we would like to do a Red Out Saturday night of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, July 27^th.

We ask all fans, contestants, volunteers and staff to wear red that night.

For this very special event, we have designed merchandise for the evening and to commemorate this year. There are t-shirts, tanks, long sleeve t’s, sweatshirts and hoodies for adults as well as youth items. Something for the whole family! Click this link https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/gJhcRTwDCr to get your merch early and be able to wear Saturday night to the rodeo for Red-Out.

Time to order is limited so get yours now.

*Proceeds from the sales of this merchandise will go to the Rebuild Fund for the North Grandstands.*

GRAND MARSHALL- JOHN COOK

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo is proud to announce that the Grand Marshall for the 103rd annual rodeo event will be Nebraska Cornhusker Volleyball Head Coach John Cook.

During the last few years, Coach Cook has developed a passion for the western way of life and for the sport of rodeo. As much at home on the back of a horse now as he is on the volleyball court, Cook is in the process of developing his roping skills both heading and heeling. He recently spent the day at The Pitzer Ranch near Ericson, NE where roping is a part of everyday life.

Cook got to enjoy the day heading on a palomino gelding owned by Wray Performance Horses, roping with Jim Brinkman, Mark Wray and Danielle Wray, Jon Pudwill and others who are considered the best of the best when you talk about team ropers in Nebraska.

NBR board President Jess Helgoth was pleased to have Cook accept the honor of 2024 Grand Marshall, and commented that “It’ll be great for our community to have him here. Cook is such a nice, down to earth guy. He loves Nebraska and the sport of rodeo and will be a great fit as grand Marshall this year.”

PRORODEO HALL OF FAME

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo was honored to be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame during July, 2022. A ceremony was held July 16, 2022 at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, CO.

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo was being given one of the highest honors in Pro Rodeo when the rodeo committee was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. The 2022 inductees are some of the biggest and best names in Pro Rodeo and include the one and only Trevor Brazile, Bobby Mote, Bobby Harris, the late Ardith Bruce, Jake Beutler, Mel Potter, Cindy Rosser, the great Saddle Bronc horse Medicine Woman, Roy Duvall’s steer wrestling horse Mighty Eye aka “Whiskey”, and Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell.

Thank you to all who have attended the rodeo over the last 101 years, without the amazing fans showing up to enjoy the greatest sport on dirt with us in Burwell each year, this would not have been possible.

Pro Rodeo Loses a Legend

A legend in the world of Pro Rodeo, and in Nebraska, has left us before we were ready.

Jim Svoboda of JJJ Photography is known throughout the country as one of best rodeo photographers in the business. Svoboda made a name for himself inside the rodeo arena before becoming a legend behind the camera.

James (Jim) Floyd Svoboda, Jr. was born November 8th, 1934 at Ord Nebraska, and passed February 19th, 2023 at the age of 88. The cause of death was inoperable stomach complications/perforation which were exacerbated by a longstanding unrecognized rodeo injury.

He passed comfortably at peace with his wife and family at his side thanks to the excellent care he received at Grand Island Nebraska Regional Hospital.

Jim graduated in 1956 from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and worked 33 years for the USDA as County Executive Officer for the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service serving Garfield, Loup, and Wheeler Counties until he retired in 1989.

He also owned a ranch with the love of his life, Marilyn, and family north of Burwell prior to his retirement, where they owned a registered Hereford operation.

Jim spent nearly 20 years as a successful four event all-around rodeo competitor, with his best streak of riding 54 barebacks in a row. He filled his PRCA permit in 1958 and received his PRCA Gold card in 1984.

A severely broken leg forced him to become a full-time rodeo photographer.

With over 3 million photos shot and worn out nearly 40 cameras, Jim was a true legend in the rodeo photography industry. He won numerous awards and buckles during his rodeo career including four coveted PRCA award buckles: “Sports News Best Action Photo”, “Best Action Rodeo Photo”, “PRCA Best in Photo Journalism “and “Las Vegas National Finals Rodeo Official Photographer”, a feat no other photographer has ever accomplished.

Jim was named the official photographer of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo early in his career, and was awarded a buckle for his 50 years of service to NBR by Garfield County Frontier Fair and Rodeo Board President Jess Helgoth.

Svoboda co-published the book “50 Years of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo” about the first half century of Burwell event and was named Co- Grand marshal of the 101st years event alongside his brother Dale Svoboda.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 64 years, three children, Tana Brinkman (Jim), Jason Von Svoboda (Angela), JonBen Svoboda (AnneMarie), 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, 2 brothers and 4 sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents James, Sr. and Margaret (Walkowiak) Svoboda, 1 brother and 3 sisters.

At Jim’s request, he wanted a private graveside service and in lieu of flowers send remembrance memorials to the family which will be collectively donated in his honor to the Nebraska’s Big Rodeo.

News

Coach Cook and NBR Merch

GRAND MARSHALL- JOHN COOK

PRORODEO HALL OF FAME

Pro Rodeo Loses a Legend

East End Bleachers

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