Draper named rodeo coach of the year

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association recently named former Brookside Elementary teacher Shane Draper Rocky Mountain Region Rodeo Coach of the Year.

Draper, who traded in his math and science teaching hat last year for a cowboy hat, is now head coach of the UVU Rodeo team. At the National College Finals Rodeo (NCFR) in June, Draper was honored for his coaching skills among coaches from throughout the Rocky Mountain Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association that comprises college and university teams from throughout Utah and Idaho.

Of his work at Brookside, Draper said, “I really miss the kids and being in the classroom, and sometimes I still can’t believe I’m not teaching.” But according to Draper, the only job I could enjoy equally as well is to be able to coach rodeo full time.

And according to his father, Lee Draper, “For throwing his hat in the ring, he found a job that suits him perfectly.”

Draper was born and raised in Genola, Utah, where he is raising his own young family near the home he grew up in with parents Lee and Debbie Draper. Shane graduated from Payson High School where he began his career as a rodeo cowboy.

As a teenager, Shane qualified for the UHSRA (Utah High School Rodeo Association) & NHSRA (National High School Rodeo Association).
While attending UVU, he competed in the NCFR and the Wilderness Circuit Finals in Saddle Bronc Riding. From 1998 to 2000, he was chosen as the Rocky Mountain Region Student Director for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and later went on to compete in the professional arena of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys of America.