Coaching is a labor of love in college rodeo

Casper College rodeo coach Tom Parker delivered a handful of $20 bills to roughstock riders Justin Moldaschel and Zach Phillips during Saturday's College National Finals Rodeo contestant check-in at the Casper Events Center."That's the part these guys like," Parker said with a wry grin.Per diems. Mileage reimbursements. Cash prizes.Clearly the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association isn't sanctioned by the NCAA.In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more efficiently run club sport in college athletics.Those in the know give much of the credit to coaches like Parker, now in his 22nd year with the Thunderbirds."The role of the coach is to make sure we have everything we need to succeed," Phillips said. For Parker that means, but is not limited to...more