DCC Hires Glendive Native to Head their Rodeo Program
Ben Ayre has been named as the Head Rodeo Coach for Dawson Community College. Ayre attended DCC from 2008-2010 and was a standout rodeo athlete. After Dawson, Ayre went on to Montana State University where he qualified for the College National Finals in 2011 and 2012 in Tie Down and Team Roping. Ayre finished 7th in the nation in Tie Down Roping in 2011. He was also the Big Sky Champion in Tie Down Roping for two years and was the 2011 Big Sky Region Champion All-Around Cowboy. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from MSU.
"I've always enjoyed the process of what it takes to rodeo," explained Ayre. "I'm excited to lead the DCC program and can't wait to see what we can accomplish."
Since college, he has remained active in the rodeo world. For thirteen straight years he qualified for the Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) Finals. In 2014 and 2015 he was the NRA Champion in Tie Down Roping. He was named the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Circuit Rookie of the Year in 2014. In 2020 he was the NRA All-Around Champion. From 2019-2022 he served as an assistant coach for the Dawson Community College and made a big impact on the program. All along, Ayre has always had a heart to help others in the rodeo world, offering his expertise to anyone who needs instruction.
"I think Ben is a perfect fit for what we need right now," shared Athletic Director Joe Peterson. "He brings stability, good local connections, strong relationships, a vast knowledge base, and the right personality to rebuild this important program. Rodeo has been a part of DCC for over 50 years and it means a lot to the college and the community. He definitely has his work cut out for him, but I know he's up to the challenge and ready to help us get things moving in the right direction."
The Dawson rodeo season will begin in September at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. The Buccaneers will host their home rodeo on September 18th and 19th at the Dawson County Fairgrounds in Glendive.
Dawson is a part of the Big Sky Region within the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).
