Special to the WJH Danny Varnadore, a decorated former professional bull rider and native of Waycross, has been named to lead South Georgia State College’s new Rodeo Club.
Student-athletes will have an opportunity to compete in collegiate rodeo events without having to leave the region.
Varnadore brings an extensive and distinguished background in the sport of rodeo. A 1997 graduate of Ware County High School, he has made a name for himself early in his career.
Varnadore was the 1997 Georgia High School Rodeo Association Bull Riding Champion, National High School Finals Rodeo (Pueblo, Colo.) Champion Bull Rider, and International Finals Youth Rodeo (Shawnee, Okla.) Champion Bull Rider.
He continued to climb the ranks in college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla. Varnadore qualified into the sports elite level (The Professional Bull Riders) in 1999 where he became one of the top competitors in the world.
Other accomplishments include third place in the Central Plains Region Bull Rider, a 13th-place finish at CNFR Bull Riding, participation in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association - Ozark Region Bull Riding Champion (Auburn University), and a ninth-place finish in the Aggregate at the 1999 Professional Bull Riders Association World Finals Qualifier.
He was also the 2000 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association - Ozark Region Bull Riding Champion (University of West Alabama), finished 14th in the Aggregate in the 2000 Professional Bull Riders Association World Finals Qualifier and 2002 United States Cowboy Tour Champion Bull Rider and Finals Aggregate Champion.
After injuries brought his competitive career to a close, Varnadore focused on academics, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University, a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern, and an Ed.S. in Coaching Pedagogy from Valdosta State University.
He and his wife, Katy, have been married for 20 years and have two children, Blakely (14) and Barrett (5).
The formation of the SGSC Rodeo Club responds to a growing demand from students in Georgia and Florida who want to pursue collegelevel rodeo competition closer to home.
“There isn’t currently a college rodeo team in the region, and that leaves a lot of talented young athletes without an opportunity to compete after high school,” said Varnadore. “SGSC is stepping in to fill that gap.”
The Rodeo Club will be open to both male and female student-athletes, with training and team activities centered around the Waycross campus.
Students can take classes on either the Douglas or Waycross campuses and will be able to live in the residence halls on the Douglas campus.
SGSC’s Rodeo Club will be a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and will compete in the Ozark Region, participating in 10 events annually — five each semester — with the goal of qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo held at the Ford Center in Casper, Wyoming.
This marks a significant step forward for South Georgia State College in offering more diverse extracurricular and athletic opportunities. With Varnadore’s expertise and passion at the helm, the SGSC Rodeo Club is poised to become a standout program in collegiate rodeo.
For more information on how to become a student at South Georgia State College, contact SGSC at admissions@ sgsc.edu. For more information or to support the SGSC Rodeo Club, please contact Danny Varnadore at (912) 614 – 0557.
