Fort Scott Community College’s  Chad Cross was given the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Central Plains Region Coach of the Year award on June 3.

“Typically, they would present the award at the last college rodeo of the season, but due to the last rodeos being canceled, the elections and presentations were done online,” Cross said.

Rodeos were canceled because of the COVID 19 pandemic.

“The award is voted on by other coaches and athletes within the central plains region – over 16 member schools consisting of junior colleges and universities across Oklahoma and Kansas,” Cross said.

Cross has been head rodeo coach for 24 years at FSCC.

“We have 50-55 students each year, Cross said. “We have every college rodeo event.”

His duties and responsibilities include advising students, coaching or helping coach each event, feeding stock, and more, he said.

“Mainly continuing to make sure that our students are bettering themselves in life, school, and rodeo,” Cross said.

“The best part of coaching for me is seeing students succeed in what they are passionate about and getting to be a small part of that, whether that be in the arena or life,” he said.