Rodeo has new coach

After not having a rodeo program for two years, Colby Community College announced the hiring of LeRoy Hays to lead the program in 2022.

Hays is a Phillipsburg native and worked as a lineman for Prairie Land Electric, Inc., from 1986 until his retirement in December 2021. He has served on the Kansas Biggest Rodeo Committee since 2001 and was a founding board member in 2005 for the Kansas Junior High School Rodeo Association. He holds an associate degree in horse training and management from Lamar Community College.

In his free time, Hays enjoys attending rodeos and other sporting events, judging youth rodeos, hunting, fishing, and camping. He and his wife Debbie have a daughter, Kadie (Cort) Chittick, and a son, Rylan.

Hays began his new position on January 3.