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HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State University Rodeo inducted its third class into the 2025 FHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame inside the Schenk Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 19. The inductees were FHSU alumni who were former student members of the rodeo team or campus leaders who supported the rodeo program.
The first group of Hall of Fame inductees were all members of the 1974 College National Finals Rodeo Team. The women’s team of Colette Graves, Kathy Geier, and Cindy Elam finished that season number two in the nation. The men’s team of that season, Bronc Rumford, Jerry Beagley, Lyle Sankey, Donnie Simpson, Steve Fenster and Stan Schmidt finished sixth in the nation.
Other inductees were recognized for their support of the FHSU Rodeo: Dr. Ed Hammond, FHSU President Emeritus and longest-tenured Fort Hays president, and Kevin Rich, professional rodeo bullfighter and freestyle bullfighter.
The reception marked the first time in 50 years that members of the 1974 team were together since they competed at the finals in Bozeman, Mont.
“Two of three of these guys I haven’t seen since we left Bozeman,” Jerry Beagley said. “It was in ’73 that we missed going to the finals, and I was so upset. Then, in ’74, I won the region in bareback riding and the bull riding, but the team did really well that year. I also got to rope calves up there and won the Intercollegiate Champion Bareback Rider of the Nation for Hays.”
Since his retirement, Beagley has owned Jerry Beagley Braiding Co. Inc., which specializes in manufacturing rodeo and horse braiding products while advancing Western culture worldwide.
“I’m still involved in rodeo manufacturing, horse products, and stuff,” he said. “It’s something that, as you get older, you’ve got to stay involved in to keep the industry going.”
In addition to being inducted, Lyle Sankey and Kathy Geier celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married in 1975 after meeting each other at a rodeo.
“We met at an amateur rodeo in Salina and didn’t really connect much,” Kathy said. “We both thought there could be something [between us] someday. Then, when we met again when he transferred here, we started going out.”
The couple reflected on their success with the team upon their induction. Lyle won the 1974 regional title in saddle bronc riding before transferring to Fort Hays and is one of only four men to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in all three rough riding events in bull riding. Kathy qualified for all three events in the women’s finals.
“It was a great time for me,” Kathy said. “College rodeo was huge fun, and it helped me learn a lot of stuff, not just college stuff, but my rodeo career as well. It’s fun to come back and see people we haven’t seen for a long time, and that was a direct result of the induction.”
Dr. Ed Hammond was credited for saving the FHSU Rodeo program from financial turmoil during his tenure as President from 1987 to 2014. He contributed to its growth through his support and knowledge of the sport.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted,” Hammond said. “The program here is nationally renowned and has produced so many outstanding professional rodeo riders, clowns, and bullfighters. I can guarantee that my horsemanship had nothing to do with me getting into the Hall of Fame. It was because I was able to help stabilize the program and get it appropriately funded. And, of course, hiring Bronc Rumford made the job easy.”
Rumford qualified for the CNFR three times and placed third in the All-Around for the 1974 team. He then served as the head coach for the FHSU Rodeo for 15 years.
“The number of people that have been part of the Fort Hays State [Rodeo] program has been amazing,” Rumford said. “Dr. Hammond, President Mason, and Dr. Ano have created a place where we could do what we do,” Rumford mentioned that his induction not only made him proud but also reminded him of the friendships he has made. “It’s an honor to be recognized with them.”
For additional information about the Rodeo Hall of Fame induction, contact Dr. Marcy Aycock at marcellaKaye@yahoo.com. Further information can be found at https://www.fhsu.edu/agriculture/rodeo/hall-of-fame/.
