Hall of Fame
Lawrence “Bud” Young started his bull riding career in 1957 at the age of 12 and joined the International Professional Rodeo Association in 1964 where he is still an active member. He also competed in the PRCA, CRA, URA and the Deep South Rodeo Association.
Young came to Northwest in 1973 as an instructor in livestock management technology, starting the College’s first rodeo team that same year. Under his leadership, the Northwest team traditionally earned awards in local, regional and national competition. His team members won championships in bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and in the All-Around category.
The longest tenured coach in Northwest’s athletic history before retiring in 2009, Young coached college rodeo for 36 years, was the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) faculty director for 18 years and also served as NIRA National Faculty President for two terms.
Young was inducted into the Northwest Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, and in that same year, was also honored with the announcement of the Lawrence “Bud” Young Endowed Scholarship which benefits a student in the college rodeo program.
Since retirement, Young has stayed involved as the arena manager of the Northwest Multipurpose Arena and is an adjunct faculty member teaching plant science. He also works with high school students in the area by conducting workshops and seminars for private groups as well as for members of the Little Britches Rodeo Association.
Young was inducted into the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame on April 23, 2013.
The Northwest Farm Arena was named in honor of Coach Lawrence "Bud" Young during the final regular season Ozark Region rodeo in April 2024.
