The head coach of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas football team took funding football by the horns at a rodeo this weekend, staying on the steer for a couple of seconds.
The “Horns & Helmets” event, held Saturday at the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, charged $150 a ticket to raise money for the UNLV Football Foundation, which helps fund the team, the university said in a release.
At intermission, coach Barry Odom got on the bull named “Widowmaker,” as shown in video of the attempt posted on X by Mr. Odom’s son, UNLV student J.T. Odom.
In a post on X on Feb. 24, the elder Mr. Odom predicted he could last at least eight seconds atop the bull.
Despite his best efforts, the 2023 Mountain West Conference coach of the year did not come close, as Widowmaker threw off Mr. Odom in less than three seconds.
“He was in control from the start. I tried to catch up — couldn’t get there,” Mr. Odom told KLAS-TV.
While he was dazed, Mr. Odom was examined by rodeo staff and determined to be unharmed by the stunt.
In a post on X, Mr. Odom said that “I felt like I dominated that thing, right up until they opened the gate!!”
The UNLV Football Foundation, which benefited from the fundraiser, contributes to equipment, uniforms, facilities, transportation and development.
The donor group of boosters and alumni is also working with the Friends of UNILV “collective” to fund name, image and likeness payments for top UNLV athletes, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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