PRESS RELEASE
Hill College is pleased to announce Chad Rutherford and Mersadie Martin as the new rodeo coaches.
Chad Rutherford will take over as head rodeo coach following Paul Brown’s recent retirement from coaching. He began his rodeo career at Hill College, where he received two associate degrees in agriculture and liberal arts. He then went on to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture while competing in bareback riding. He has competed on the professional level for the past twelve years, including qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2020.
Rutherford grew up in Itasca, Texas. He began rodeoing after high school when a neighbor, Chris Harris, a professional bareback rider, encouraged him to try bareback riding. He then joined the rodeo team at Hill College under former head rodeo coach Paul Brown.
During his collegiate career, he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) three times and was the Southern Region Bareback Champion twice. Throughout his professional career, Rutherford has qualified for the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo nine times and once in the Southeastern Circuit Finals, where he was the year-end champion.
Rutherford’s professional accomplishments include National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region Bareback Champion (2014, 2016), CNFR Qualifier (2013, 2014, 2016), Southeastern Circuit Champion Bareback Rider (2016), Texas Circuit Champion Bareback Rider (2021), NFR Bareback Qualifier (2020), and Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo Average Champion and high-money earner (2024).
“The harder it is, the greater it is. The greatest rides I ever had in my career were the moments I felt like I had my worst rides. No matter how hard it gets, just keep moving your feet,” said Rutherford. “I am excited for the opportunity to utilize my experience and passion for coaching to mentor the young rodeo athletes at Hill College.”
Mersadie Martin will assist Rutherford as the associate head rodeo coach. She began her collegiate career at Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, Texas, where she received her associate degree. She then went on to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where she received her bachelor’s degree in animal science with a minor in equine science. Martin finished her college career at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she received her master’s degree in kinesiology.
According to Brown, she is one of the greatest goat tiers to ever step into the rodeo arena. Originally from Lufkin, Texas, she began her rodeoing at the age of six.
Throughout her rodeo career, she has been to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) over seven times, including three times as a national qualifier, two times as a national-finals round winner, and two times as a national finals short-round qualifier. She is a two-time National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region Reserve Champion Goat Tyer and was the 2023 NIRA Southern Region Reserve Champion for the women’s team. She is a two-time tie winner for the Crown Champion in goat tying. In addition, she has over two dozen college rodeo wins.
“I am beyond excited to start my coaching career at Hill College alongside Chad Rutherford. This will truly be a unique opportunity for any college athlete looking to better themselves in the arena and classroom. We look to come in full force and function as one unit. I want to thank Hill College for brining two full time head coaches on staff and passing down the legacy of coach Paul Brown. This is truly a dream come true for me,” said Martin.
For more information about the Rodeo Program at Hill College, visit hillcollegeathletics.com.
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