by JP mcbride

Jmcbride@itemonline.com

Bubba Miller and theBranded for Christ CowboyChurch trained young men inthe sport of rodeo and shared thegospel this weekend at theirannual Memorial Day RoughStock Rodeo School inHuntsville.

More than 80 boys betweenthe ages of 11 and 18 attendedthe free camp, including around50 first-time participants. Youngcowboys came here from sevenstates outside of Texas.

Miller, the head coach of theSam Houston State rodeo team,said his rough stock camp hasgrown tremendously over time,with only 18 participants in thecamp just six years ago.

Miller, who has coached theBearkats to several nationalchampionships in the recentpast, attributes much of thecamp’s growth to the cowboyswho have previously participat-ed in the camp and gone on tobecome members of theProfessional Rodeo CowboysAssociation.

“Every year we’ve beenbuilding on our successes,”Miller said Saturday. “Thegrowth has really came from the

success of our students, as wellas coaching at Sam Houston andwinning national titles at theuniversity level.”

The participants of the campgot the opportunity to learn howto compete in several differentrodeo events, including bull rid-ing, bareback riding and saddlebronc riding.

Miller and his wife Tammyboth emphasized that the campis not just about teaching youngmen how to be successful rodeoathletes, it’s also about teachingthe word of God and helping

each camper grow as a person.“One of our biggest focuses

though is for them to be a cham-pion outside the arena, not justinside the arena,” Tammy Millersaid.

“We’ve had kids like TaylorPrice and Bill Tutor, who is anAcademic All-American, whoare college graduates and pro-ductive citizens as well aschampions in the arena,” addedBubba Miller.

“We make sure that we tryand center everything aroundthe Lord.”

Bubba Miller decided hewanted to train others in thesport of rodeo and encouragethem to pursue their dreamsafter his days in the arena ended.

“At the end of my rodeocareer, I just wanted to giveback to the sport that paid for acomplete education for myself. Ihave a love and a passion for thesport and me and my wife want-ed to give back and give otherrodeo athletes the proper train-ing for a successful career,” he

Visit us online: www.itemonline.com 50 centsMonday, May 26, 2014

Ready for a weather change?It looks like we’ll have to waitanother day or so. The forecastcalls for another partly sunny,very warmafternoonwith hightemperaturesclose to 90.

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opinion ......................... 4A

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WeaTher

by John holder

shsu news service

Several of Sam Houston StateUniversity’s online programsperformed well in U.S. News &World Report’s rankings of2014 Best Online Programs forveterans, announced on May 20.

Sam Houston State’s onlineprograms ranked No. 2 for “BestOnline Graduate ComputerInformation TechnologyPrograms for Veterans,” No. 5for “Best Online GraduateEducation Programs forVeterans,” No. 12 for “BestOnline Graduate Business

Programs for Veterans,” and No.15 for “Best Online Bachelor’sPrograms for Veterans.”

The university’s ranking ingraduate education programsplaces it near the top of the over-all list of 44 institutions recog-nized in that category; the onlinebachelor’s programs rankings

included 69 institutions, withSHSU’s rank in the top quarterof all schools on the list.

Rankings of online degreeprograms were based on partici-pation in four key programs thatoffer educational benefits topeople with military service.Institutions must be certified for

the GI Bill; participate in theYellow Ribbon Program orcharge in-state tuition for allout-of-state veterans; and musthave been awarded a numericalrank in the overall 2014 U.S.News Best Online Programs

SHSU earns high marks for veterans programsofficials hope rankings will attract more servicemen and women to university

JoShuA YATES/ThE hunTSvILLE ITEM

A group of hopeful cowboys take turns riding the “practice buck” at Bubba Miller’s Branded for Christ Rough Stock Rodeo School on Saturday afternoon. Morethan 80 young men between the ages of 11 and 18 participated in the Bearkat coach’s camp that he runs every year for free.

TeaChing & PreaChing

Memorial Day service today at HEARTS Veterans Center

A Memorial Day servicewill be held in huntsville todayat 7 p.m. at the hEARTSveterans Center next to theTexas Prison Museum tohonor those who made theultimate sacrifice. Texas Senator CharlesSchwetner and Lt. Col.Champe Miller will be thekeynote speakers. TheGreater Zion MissionaryBaptist Church, the huntsvilleMen’s Choir and soloist RayWhitney will all perform. All veterans will be recog-nized. The public is welcome andadmission is free. There willbe a reception honoringSchwetner from 6 to 7 p.m.Call (936) 295-5959 for moreinformation.

City poolopen andfree todayfor kidsand adults

JoShuA YATES/ThE hunTSvILLE ITEM

After a morning of practice in the rodeo arena, participants in Bubba Miller’s Branded for Christ Rough Stock RodeoSchool gathered in the main building for a Bible service, praise and worship and a wholesome lunch before headingback out to train in the afternoon.

bearkats rodeo coachand his wife shareknowledge with

young cowboys fromall over country

“It gives us a chance to show God’s love by serving and that’s what we love to do. I think it speaks loudly when they see these people working and they’re not doing for a paycheck.

They’re doing it because they love the Lord and they love these kids.”TAMMY MILLER / Branded for Christ Roughstock Rodeo School

the huntsville item

The time has come to goswimming. The HuntsvilleAquatic Center will be openand free to the public todayfrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for theMemorial Day holiday.

According to Jay Miller,Aquatic Center manager,admission to the pool todaywill be completely free forboth children and adults.

“We are all looking forwardto another summer of swim-ming, water sports and familyfun,” Miller said last week. “Toget the season started off right,we’re opening up for MemorialDay, when we’re hoping localfamilies will use the day offwork and school to come enjoyour beautiful facility.

“Whether you choose to lapswim, relax in the sun or takeyour kids to the Splash Pad, weknow this Monday will be afun day for all of our guests.”

Following Memorial Day,Miller said the facility will beclosed until June 7, the officialopening date for 2014.

“From June 7 throughAugust 23, the Aquatic Centerwill be open from noon to 8p.m. on Tuesday throughSunday, with the exception ofSaturday, when we’ll open upat 10 a.m.,” Miller said.“Admission will be free forchildren (age) 2 and under,$2.50 for ages 3 to 11, and $4for those 12 and up.

“We’ll also have summerpasses available for $40 forages 3 to 11 and $50 for those12 and up. A family of fourmay purchase a set for $100”

All pool information isavailable on the City’s website,www.huntsvilletx.gov, or byphone at (936) 291-5433.

See veterans, page 2A

See cowboys, page 3A

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