Verne Elliott started his rodeo career as a contestant. The Platteville, Colo., native competed in his first rodeo at the 1907 Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, doing so in both the timed and roughstock events. A 1910 injury forced his retirement from competition, and he turned to the stock contracting business. After World War I, he partnered with Ed McCarty of Chugwater, Wyo., to contract livestock and produce rodeos, including the first indoor production in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1917. In Fort Worth, Elliott built the first bucking chutes ever used in competition. The Elliott-McCarty Company owned the famous broncs and ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees Midnight and Five Minutes to Midnight. The company produced the National Western Stock Show in 1931 and continued until Elliott’s death in 1962 at the age of 81. In addition to the large Western rodeos, the company took its production to New York in 1922 and to London in 1924 and 1934.
MYRON (Doc) ETIENNE Rodeo Notable • Inducted 2001
Myron “Doc” Etienne is a city boy with a long and deep love of the West and the cowboy. Shortly after high school, he joined the Merchant Marines. After five years at sea, he enrolled in college and graduated with a law degree. His first job was with the Monterey County District Attorney’s office. After checking in for his first day, the second stop was the rodeo office in Salinas, Calif., and the beginning of a long career as a rodeo volunteer was born. Etienne, born May 19, 1924, in Pasadena, Calif., has served more than 40 years on the California Rodeo Salinas board. That involvement led to his service on the Rodeo Advisory Committee since its inception. He also served on the PRCA Rodeo Information Foundation and was a founding member and the first president of the Animal Welfare Council. He has been a strong force in making the Association the leader in dealing proactively with animal welfare issues, and he is extremely dedicated to the welfare of rodeo animals and the rodeo industry. Doc Etienne is a man of firm beliefs with the best interest of rodeo and the rodeo cowboy at heart.
ELDON EVANS Rodeo Notable • Inducted 1997
Eldon Evans’ father threatened him with his life if he ever became a rodeo cowboy. While he never competed in the arena, Evans of Twin Falls, Idaho, did become a true friend of the sport. He has given countess hours to the PRCA for more than 20 years. A certified public accountant by profession, he first served as the financial advisor in 1981, was on the steering committee during the reorganization of the association, was an interim co-commissioner and also served on the board of directors from 1988-96. He was named PRCA Rodeo Man of the Year in 1987. Evans, a veteran of the Korean War, was a founding father of the College of Southern Idaho and served on the board of trustees for 12 years. In 1965, he was named Man of the Year by the Twin Falls, Idaho, Chamber of Commerce. His wise counsel has helped guide the association through turbulent years. His peers believe he has always had the best interest of all of the aspects of the rodeo business at the top of his priorities in his decision-making.
J. PAT EVANS rodeo Notable • Inducted 2004
Although he never cashed a go-round check, Dr. J. Pat Evans has left an indelible mark on ProRodeo that any world champion would envy. As co-founder of the Justin Sportsmedicine Team in 1980, Dr. Evans has undoubtedly helped thousands of cowboys by providing medical attention. First-class medical care at more than 150 rodeos across the United States and Canada, along with a spider web network of physicians and therapists, have put ProRodeo on the same playing field as other professional sports. Evans, who had a private practice in Dallas, worked as the team doctor for the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks in the 1970s and ’80s. He presented his idea of rodeo health care to athletic trainer Don Andrews, who was helping him treat cowboys during a 1979 competition titled Rodeo Superstars. Evans told Andrews it was a shame that guys in rodeo didn’t have the same type of treatment options as athletes in other sports. Andrews agreed and with the backing of John Justin Jr. and the blessing of the PRCA, the Justin Sportsmedicine Team was born at the 1980 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. Dr. Tandy Freeman, who continues to carry the torch for the Justin Sportsmedicine Team since Evans’ retirement, considers Dr. Evans a mentor and hero.
