Where Legends Ride: ABAC's Rodeo Tradition Lives On

TIFTON – Standing high above Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Rodeo Arena, ABAC Police Officer Joey Woods gazed down at the dirt, horses, and riders below. The scent of dust and leather filled the air — familiar, nostalgic, cherished.

“This is sacred ground to me,” Woods said softly. “This is where I rode.”

Woods still carries his old rodeo card, a tangible link to the days he competed right here on ABAC soil — a place steeped in history, heart, and hometown pride.

Rodeo has long been part of the ABAC spirit. The ABAC Rodeo Arena, nestled on the west end of campus, has stood proudly for decades — longer than any other athletic facility except the gymnasium. What began in the late 1960s with a small group of determined students and the vision of Dr. George Conger grew into one of the most distinctive traditions in Georgia collegiate athletics.

The ABAC Rodeo Club officially began in 1968, and by 1969, thanks to Dr. Conger’s leadership, ABAC hosted its very first rodeo on campus. From there, the energy only grew.

By the early 1980s, ABAC’s rodeo scene was thriving. “We were the only ones around,” Woods recalled. “ABAC was unique — nobody else in Georgia was doing what we were doing.”

The events brought in crowds and competitors from across the South. Bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, bareback riding, and saddle bronc riding made every night an unforgettable show of skill and grit. Under the direction of advisor Bruce Applewhite, ABAC joined the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Ozark Region in 1992, elevating the college’s reputation in the rodeo circuit.

That same era saw major upgrades to the arena, including a new 10-stall stable built in 1990 for students who brought their own horses to campus. And in 1994, ABAC hosted Georgia’s first intercollegiate rodeo — the Peach State Stampede — which quickly became a beloved homecoming tradition.

Though the arena eventually grew quiet, the spirit of the rodeo never faded. In 2011, ABAC proudly revived its rodeo roots with the Gee Haw, Whoa Back Rodeo — a celebration that continues to draw fans, families, and competitors from across the region.

Today, that same passion gallops forward stronger than ever. The excitement builds again as the ABAC PCA Pro Rodeo returns to campus November 14–15, presented by the elite 3R Rodeo Company. Guests can expect two nights of electrifying competition, family fun, and the unmistakable sound of hooves pounding South Georgia soil under the arena lights.

“Having a rodeo program at ABAC connects our students to the very roots of who we are as an institution,” said Dr. Tracy Brundage, President of ABAC. “It celebrates our agricultural heritage, our competitive spirit, and our commitment to hands-on learning. The rodeo arena is more than just a field of competition — it’s a place where tradition, teamwork, and passion come together to define the ABAC experience.”

The tradition lives on — the dirt is ready, the gates are set, and ABAC stands proud of its rodeo legacy.

To learn more about the history of rodeo at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College or details about the upcoming ABAC PCA Pro Rodeo, visit www.abac.edu/rodeo or contact publicrelations@abac.edu.