serving and informing the volunteers and supporters of … · serving and informing the volunteers...

20
Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Sid Epstein... “Straight Shooter” of the “Star” World MAGAZINE November, 1993—Vol 1, No. 3

Upload: vuongthuan

Post on 23-Jun-2018

216 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Sid Epstein...“Straight Shooter”of the “Star” World

MAGAZINE

November, 1993—Vol 1, No. 3

Page 2: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

Magazine CommitteeOfficer in Charge

Suzanne Epps

ChairmanRoy Elledge Jr.

Vice Chairmen/Committee Editors

Bill BarrettMax Watson

Editorial BoardMark AnawatyJohn Murphy

Peter A. RumanMarshall R. Smith III

Ron Stone

ReportersAmy Ashby-Pike

Yahsmine Catli-CowanDeborah DahlkeCheryl Dorsett

Freeman GregoryPamela HensonWhitney Horton

Ann JacobsBeth JohnsonMark JonesTerri Kainer

Charlotte KirkMelissa Manning

Evelyn McConnellElise Oppmann

Middy RandersonKeith R. Schmidt

Design/LayoutStephen Stepinoff

Senior Account ExecutivePegasus Design, Inc.

PhotographerSam Pierson

Magazine Staff/ManagementManagement Coordinators

Leroy ShaferSuzy Brown

Production EditorJohnnie Hendon

Staff Coordinator/EditorTeresa Lippert

PhotographerFrank Martin, D.V.M.

Cover Photo(Associated Press/Houston Chronicle)

Houston Livestock Show and RodeoExecutive Committee

Joseph T. Ainsworth, M.D. James O. Bloodworth Allen H. Carruth

James R. “Dick” Graves Hal Hillman H. Stuart Lang Jr.

Louis M. Pearce Jr. John O. Smith Clayton Underwood

Tommie Vaughn P. Michael Wells James M. Windham Jr.

Honorary Lifetime Members - Executive CommitteeDouglas B. Marshall Gail Whitcomb

Chairman of the BoardJames R. “Dick” Graves

PresidentDon D. Jordan

OfficersRichard E. Bean Don Buckalew John H. Causey

George A. DeMontrond III C.R. “Bob” Devine Suzanne Epps

George R. Hinsley Wayne Hollis Jr. Jim Janke

W.A. “Sonny” Lewis Robert V. McAnelly Howard H. “Red” Moore

Tom R. Northrup

General ManagerDan A. Gattis

Volume 1, Issue 3, is published by the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo, Copyright 1993. Letters

and comments should be sent to: Marketing Department, Houston LivestockShow and Rodeo, P.O. Box 20070, Houston, Texas 77225-0070.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Message from the President—————————————— 1

Features

The Rodeo Has Always Been a Class Act ——————— 2

Calf Scramble Program ——————————————— 4

Justin Heelers ——————————————————— 6

A Family Tradition ———————————————— 8

Announcements ——————————————————— 10

Vice President Profiles————————————————— 11

Committee Spotlight

World’s Championship Bar-B-Que ————————— 12

Outdoor Advertising———————————————— 13

Communications—Editorial ———————————— 14

Swine Auction —————————————————— 15

Executive Committee Portrait

H. Stuart Lang Jr. ————————————————— 16

Management Feedback ———————————————— 17

Calendar of Events —————————————— Back Cover

MAGAZINE,

Page 3: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

ith national interest currently focused onhealth care issues, it’s encouraging to reportthe health of our organization is excellent.

We’re continuously moving in an innovative direc-tion, with an emphasis on upgrading and improvingthe quality of the Houston Livestock Show andRodeo each year.

Obviously, these efforts have been rewarded.Season ticket requests for the 1994 Show are extensive, with a waiting list initiated to handle theinterest. In 1993, we sold all but 1.2 percent of theavailable tickets in the Astrodome for our rodeo performances, so our growth potential is limited in this area.

However, with an eye for expansion, we havedeveloped a new attraction and exhibit area outsidethe west entrance to the Astrohall to be calledAstrohall Plaza. This area will feature a petting zoo,the pig races, food exhibits, a portion of the carnivaland other attractions. Our intent is to provide forgreater spectator comfort and room while offeringticket buyers easier access to special attractions.

We are in the process of polling members of thegeneral public as to who they would like to see enter-tain at the upcoming Houston rodeo. Combining theresults of these telephone surveys with our commit-tee volunteer feedback helps us determine entertain-ers with the highest potential for spectator draw. Thedata also allows us to slot per-formers on specific dates whichmaximizes the total draw for therun of the Show.

Corporate interest in the 1994Houston Livestock Show andRodeo indicates a recognition ofboth the marketing value of our

event along with an appreciation for our role in help-ing the youth of Texas. All but two of the major spon-sorships have been sold, and companies wishing tocontribute to our scholarship program are at an all-time high. We owe a great deal of appreciation to allcorporations supporting our event—from sponsorsand donors to auction buyers and ticket purchasers.Their generosity and their promotional efforts helpcurtail our operating costs while publicizing ourevent to the general public.

As committee volunteers and Show supporters,your input means a great deal to this organization. Beassured your comments, suggestions and criticisms,as written on the Show survey forms, are distributedto each member of the Executive Committee, allShow officers and all members of Show manage-ment. They are read, analyzed and recorded in acomputer data base. Many of the Show’s changesresult from these comments and several of the con-cerns expressed by committee volunteers areaddressed in the management feedback portion ofthis publication.

The attitudes expressed at Show committee meet-ings and planning sessions are upbeat, positive andenergetic. Each one of you is to be commended forrecognizing the power of this organization within thecommunity and for representing the Show in a pro-fessional, enthusiastic manner.

As the year comes to aclose and we gear up for the 62ndanniversary of the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo, I’dlike to extend my best wishes toeach of you for a happy and safeholiday season.

1

A M e s s a g e f r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t

W

D o n D . J o r d a nP r e s i d e n tK

aye

Mar

vins

Pho

togr

aphy

, In

c.

Page 4: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

★★★

F E A T U R E

2

f all the shows andorganizations I haveworked with during

my many years with the WilliamMorris Agency, the finest by far is the Houston Livestock Show andRodeo. I never met a single personwith the Show that wasn’t a first-class individual.”

With that compliment, comingfrom a man who has worked with thebrightest stars in the business andthe most prestigious organizations inthe entertainment world, Sid Epsteinsummarized his almost 50 years ofassociation with the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo.

Now retired, he was formerly vicepresident of the William MorrisAgency and head of its InternationalFairs and Expositions department.He traveled the world in that positionand “walked with kings” but neverlost the common touch.

Magazine visited Epstein and his wife Rosa at

their winter home in Boca Raton, Fla.Q. How did you first become

involved with the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo?A. As I remember, it was

because of our agency’s relation-ship with Amon Carter back dur-ing the time of the TexasCentennial in 1936. Booking the

Billy Rose Aquacade, a popularvariety act in the 1930s, helpedmake the Centennial an enormoussuccess. From then on, theWilliam Morris Agency wassacrosanct in Texas as far as massentertainment was concerned.Q. How would you describe

the different eras of rodeo enter-tainment over the years?A. When I first started bring-

ing the stars to Texas, the Showwas held in the Sam HoustonColiseum. The Coliseum was lim-ited in space and seating—onlyabout 6,000 to 7,000 seats. Wewould have one star for the entirerun of the rodeo, which was about19 performances, with three heldon Saturday. They usually soldout the full seating capacity wellbefore the Show began. In the firstsix years that I worked with theShow, the stars returned for twoyears in a row. When we had asuccess at the event, we liked torepeat it!

In early years, we featured allthe stars from the Saturday after-noon movies—Burka White, GeneAutry, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans—and also some variety shows likeOlson and Johnson. We were try-ing to please the “kid audience,”and these stars were very popular.

The next era, beginning around

1949 or 1950, was the era of theTV cowboys. The first TV starsthat I brought to the Show were“Cisco” and “Pancho.” Then webooked cowboys from populartelevision shows—Roy Rogersand the Sons of the Pioneers,Hugh O’Brian (Wyatt Earp), JimArness (Matt Dillon), and ChuckConnors (The Rifleman)—toappear on stage at the Rodeo.Bringing these big-name stars toHouston just naturally followedthe success of Houston as a city.

In the beginning of this era,most of the state fairs or rodeoswould have a review show withjust a backdrop for scenery andsome lights, a chorus line of girlsand two or three variety acts. Thatwas the extent of the show—thesame acts year after year. Therewere no “real” stars at these kindsof shows; people were happy justto have entertainment. Then, tele-vision changed all of that. The fairand rodeo audiences changed andbecame as sophisticated as theaudiences in major cities. Theywanted to see the stars....and webrought them.Q. Did all the TV cowboys

sing? What kinds of perfor-mances did they have and whatdid the television stars thinkabout playing in Houston?

Chuck Connors“The Rifleman”

Charley Pride Crystal Gayle Elvis Presley

T H E R O D E O H A S A L W A Y S B E E N A C L A S S A C T

Story by

Deborah Dahlke

O“

Page 5: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

★★

Wayne Newton Hugh O’Brian (right)“Wyatt Earp”

Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Lynn Anderson

3

A. Some of them didn’t singvery well. When it was necessary,we manufactured acts for them.With my suggestions and assis-tance, we put together some greatsinging cowboy acts. MichaelLandon played at the Show, andhe could sing. But if they didn’tsing well, they would use a back-up group or do rope tricks. Themain thing was their personality,their presence—they were TVstars!

The stars all thoroughly enjoyedcoming to perform in Houston—itgave them a chance to be with thepeople. Also, the money wasgood. The Show provided theman extra source of income. In theearly days, the television salarieswere not that enormous. Ofcourse, they didn’t just play atHouston, there were a number ofrodeos in the Southwest thatcould afford to pay them for theweekend. One year, MichaelLandon played 50 weekends outof the year—all of them rodeos—and made almost $7,000 a week,much more than he made onBonanza.Q. Was the Show always a

“cowboy” show or were thereother kinds of acts?A. Oh no, there were all kinds

of acts—Broadway stars and

recording stars as well as televi-sion cowboys. Perhaps the nextera of TV cowboys was that of therecording stars. Music was thestrength of the Show. In lateryears, the 1960s and 1970s, wehad country stars like CrystalGayle, Lynn Anderson andCharley Pride. After the Showmoved to the Astrodome, we hadto book several entertainers for theduration of the event. No one starcould fill the entire Dome seatingof 40,000 to 50,000 spectators formore than two nights.

In the 1960s, we began bookinga new era of variety stars like JimNabors and Wayne Newton. Forexample, I remember once, DickWeekley‚ former Show generalmanager, was concerned about aWednesday night performance hehad open—one with no acts yetsigned. He said, “How aboutChaka Kahn?” I got her to come tothe Show, and she held theWednesday night record for sever-al years. It was all Dick’s idea—hewas willing to take a chance and

bring new types of artists to theHouston Livestock Show andRodeo.Q. How did Elvis Presley

come to play at the HoustonShow?A. Colonel Tom Parker, who

was Elvis’ manager, was always aclose friend of the William MorrisAgency, and Elvis had alwaysbeen a client. Colonel Parkerknew about my success at theHouston Show because we hadworked together on other projects.Also, Colonel Parker managedEddie Arnold when he played atthe Show. Basically, Elvis came toHouston through Colonel Parker’snegotiations directly with BillWilliams, Dick Weekley andLouis Pearce (at that timeExecutive Committee Member,General Manager, ShowPresident, respectively).

Playing in Houston at theAstrodome means a lot to emerg-ing artists, and even to establishedstars. It gives them a certain cachetto be able to say “I can draw acrowd of 60,000 people.” Thatwas true for the Houston Showeven in the old days of theColiseum. It means so much toplay here, because the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo hasalways been a first-class act.

Ass

ocia

ted

Pre

ss/H

oust

on C

hron

icle

Sid Epstein, world class promoter

Page 6: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

F E A T U R E

4

hen 16-year-old EmmettEvans partici-

pated in the calf scramble event in1950, he literally put a halter onhis future.

After successfully catching andleading his calf to the winners’square, Evans used the $100 hereceived from the Show to buy asteer. The following year, heentered the steer in the Harris

County Fair and won grand cham-pion honors.

“I received $3,500 for thatsteer,” Evans said. “And I usedthat money to attend theUniversity of Houston. It paid formost of my college education.”

Today, Evans is an inspectorand draftsman for TrinityIndustries. Yet for nearly all theseyears, he hasn’t turned loose ofthat calf scramble victory of morethan 40 years ago. As the currentchairman of the Calf ScrambleAdvisory Committee, he teachesyoungsters preparing for the eventhow to properly place halters onthe calves.

The calf scramble event, intro-

duced to the Show in 1942, hasalways been premier entertain-ment at each rodeo performance,but its significance is much morefar-reaching. Boys and girls whosuccessfully catch a calf (and evena few that don’t) begin a yearlong

animal project through whichthey gain knowledge in the care,feeding and fitting, and econom-ics of livestock.

Many of these young people go on to find successful careers in agricultural-relatedindustries. Regardless, all havelearned invaluable lessons in re-sponsibility, money managementand achievement.

Today, many second-generationcalf scramble contestants areentering the arena, coached andencouraged by their fathers whoparticipated many years ago. Girlsbegan participating in the event atthe 1982 Show.

The scramble procedure is stan-dard, but the action that follows istotally unpredictable. Contestantsline up at the edge of a largesquare on the floor of theAstrodome. At the signal, theyoungsters scramble to “catch ascatch can.” A winner must capture a calf, halter it and thenbring the usually-stubborn animalinside the winners’ square, withno help from anyone. Other par-ticipants cannot touch the calfunless it breaks free.

While the event is sheer fun andenjoyment for spectators, it’s noeasy mission for the participating28 boys and girls, who are 12 to 17years old. Nothing short of incom-parable determination will bringsuccess. They must often chasethese calves all the way across the4-acre, open arena.

“Most people have absolutelyno idea how big these calves are,”says Bea Baker, calf scrambledirector since 1975. Yearlingcalves often weigh approximately350 pounds.

Winners do not keep the actualcalf they catch. The contestantuses a certificate to purchase a reg-istered beef or dairy heifer. Calf

Emmett Evans shows off the reward of his 1950 calf scramble victory, the steer he purchased with the $100 scramble certificate.

W

C a l f S c r a m b l e P r o g r a m

Story by

Mark Jones

Page 7: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

scramble donors—which includebusinesses as well as individu-als—contribute $1,000 for a calfcertificate.

Additionally, there are thoseparticipants who put out excep-tional effort, but are unsuccessfulin catching one of those fleetinganimals. Many of these “hardluck” winners also are awarded a$1,000 certificate.

Once the heifer is purchased, itbecomes the foundation for a yearlong project and is enteredinto special competition at theHouston Livestock Show the fol-lowing year.

In addition to reporting regular-ly throughout the year to theirdonors, all participants arerequired to write two essays,detailing their animal’s progress,and must submit them to theShow’s scramble office.These essays are judged,and awards are presentedat the annual CalfScramble Banquet.

Many of the contes-tants also keep scrap-books, although this isnot a requirement.“The youngsters cannow participate in ascrapbook contest aswell,” said Baker. “Wehave as many as 135books submitted eachyear.”

Organizing the calfscramble event also is atremendous task, whichrequires not only thework of Baker, but theefforts of four Show com-mittees as well: CalfScramble Donors,which seeks new andrepeat donors; CalfScramble Greeters,which assists return-

ing calf scramble participants inthe livestock show area; CalfScramble Advisory, which pro-vides assistance and guidance toall calf scramble committees; andthe Calf Scramble Committee, thelargest of the four groups, whichstaffs the rodeo arena during theactual event. Members also serveas finish-line judges.

Texas youngsters representingFFA and 4-H organizations acrossthe state are chosen to participateat the 18 performances, based onessay-writing contests as well aspreliminary calf scrambles.

Entrants in this hearty competi-tion must be in top physical con-dition and weigh at least 100pounds. Each contestant alsomust follow through with the

scramble project, entering his orher animal in competition at thelivestock show the following year.

At the 1993 Show, 335 scramblecertificates were presented toTexas youngsters. Since the pro-gram began in 1942, more than $3million and almost 13,000 qualityanimals have been placed inthe hands of Texas youth.

5

One of the many calf scramble contestants shows that it takes a lot of concentration to catch and halter a calf!

Fra

nk M

artin

Page 8: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

F E A T U R E

6

he two men stood inone of the big trailer’scorners, speaking in

low tones with arms folded andheads bowed.

“I have a good one in Amarilloday after tomorrow. Can I get on?”the younger one asked.

The second man shifted hisweight from one foot to the otherand shrugged his shoulders.“Man, it’s your back we’re talkingabout. You should let the doctormake that call.”

The cowboy’s head bobbedknowingly, but it was obvious hedidn’t like the call very much.Shaking the older man’s hand, hesaid, “See you up the road,”turned, and left the trailer.

No other professional athlete ismore willing to perform while

injured than a rodeo cowboy.No. Make that insistent on per-

forming while hurt. They are dri-ven to perform beyond what mostof us would consider physical dis-comfort.

And there’s a great deal of“hurt” in professional rodeo.

Bareback riders suffer hyperex-tended elbows. Bull riders—groins. Calf ropers—ankles andwrists. Bad backs are endemic toall rodeo cowboys.

“In rodeo,” says Bill Zeigler,“it’s not a matter of if you’re goingto get hurt. It’s when and how bad.They know it going in that it’s justa way of life. As they say, it’s thecowboy way.”

Zeigler is road manager for the“Justin Heelers,” an organizationsponsored by the Justin BootCompany that operates mobilesports medicine facilities forrodeo contestants. Last year, thegroup covered about 70 rodeos.

“We practice comprehensivesports medicine, which entails theconditioning and rehabilitation ofspecific rodeo injuries,” said Don

Andrews, one of the organiza-tion’s principals.

Andrews says the idea for theJustin Heelers took root 14 yearsago during a Fort Worth rodeopromoted by former DallasCowboys running back, WaltGarrison. At the time, Andrews

was working as an athletic trainerfor a professional hockey teambased in the same building as therodeo.

Garrison had been bringingsome of his rodeo colleagues toCowboys’ team physician, J. PatEvans, for treatment, and he con-vinced Evans and Andrews to setup a training room for the rodeo. Itwas very successful.

Andrews and Evans learnedtwo things about rodeo cowboys.First, they get hurt a great deal,and they play through it. “It’samazing when you consider thedifference between the money onecan earn in a major league sportand rodeo,” Andrews explains.“Although money is important toeveryone, it’s probably less impor-tant to these guys than anybody insports. There are no prima donnasin rodeo.”

Second, organized sports medi-cine was virtually nonexistent inprofessional rodeo. “Rodeos havemedical staffs, and they’re goodpeople, but they’re only going tosee these guys in Houston andFort Worth. There was no conti-nuity of care.

“We wanted to provide thesame level of sports medicine cov-erage afforded the NFL, the NBA,Major League Baseball and theNHL for a rodeo cowboy. We feelhe is an athlete equal to that of anyother sport,” Andrews says.

With the encouragement ofGarrison and bull rider Don Gay,Andrews and Evans submitted aproposal to the ProfessionalRodeo Cowboys Association in1980, and the idea stuck. “I’vedealt with a lot of sanctioningbodies, but I’ve never had one sodetermined to help itsathletes,” he says. All that was leftto make it happen was to find asponsor.

T

J u s t i n H e e l e r s★

Story by

Freeman Gregory

Sam

Pie

rson

For the rodeo cowboys, it’s a comfort to know that medical assistance is available.

Page 9: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

With the help of then-PRCAofficial Ken Stemler, Andrewslanded an interview with theJustin Boot Company, and filledhis pitch with typical marketingapproaches and data that showedhow the idea could stimulatesales. The Justin people listenedpolitely and said, “Well, youknow the rodeo cowboy has beenreal good to our company for morethan 100 years. This is a way wecould return the favor.”

As good as the concept seemedon paper, it proved to be a slowstarter in actual application. TheHeelers’ first official event was the1980 National Finals Rodeo inOklahoma City. Andrews set up atraining room there, twiddling histhumbs for much of the event’sfirst two days.

It turned out that the cowboyswere leery of the facility. “They’dsort of look in and then move on,”Andrews laughs. “They’d neverseen anything like that before.”Pretty soon, Don Gay saw whatwas happening and made aspeech. “Look. This guy(Andrews) is here for this. Ifyou’ve got any problems, see him.Don’t mess around.” The programwas off and running.

At the Houston Livestock Showand Rodeo, the Heelers use a 40-foot gooseneck trailer rigged withtaping tables, treatment equip-ment, medical supplies, cabinetsfor records and some exercisegear. “We have just about every-thing we need to keep the cowboygoing and get him ready for thatnight,” Zeigler says.

The group’s focus is sports med-icine—not major or emergencyhealth care. If a cowboy’s injury issevere, the rodeo’s paramedicstransport him to a hospital, and alicensed physician administerscare. The Heelers have established

a network of volunteer doctorsacross North America who remainon call when rodeos come to theirtowns. Houston has one of thelargest bases of volunteer doctorsand athletic trainers in that net-work.

Zeigler left his job as head ath-letic trainer with the TexasRangers baseball team last year towork with the Heelers full time.During his 10-year stint with theRangers, he spent the off-seasonsworking the rodeo circuit withAndrews and the Heelers. He saysrodeo injuries differ from those ofother major sports in that theydon’t occur instantaneously.

“In baseball or football, whensomebody gets hurt, boom! it’sover. You run out there, and youdo what you’re trained to do. Inrodeo, it goes on and on, and youhave to wait until you can get tothe guy.”

Zeigler remembers his first seri-ous incident involved a barebackrider who got hung up in his bronc’s rigging at a Denver rodeo.

The rider was dragged around the arena several times.

“I remember wondering how Icould help this guy,” Zeiglerrecalls. “So I went to the middle ofthe arena to be close when he felloff. He finally did. Blood and dirtcovered his face. I told him to takeit slow and that a stretcher wouldbe there soon. All he could saywas ‘Boy am I tired.’ ”

The rider would have none ofthat stretcher business, choosingto walk out of the arena.

Over time, rodeo performers’inner toughness has been tem-pered with the realization thatproper medical care can extendand improve careers, and theJustin Heelers have been a part ofthat.

“The philosophy of our pro-gram is to return the athlete tocompetition as quickly as possi-ble,” says Andrews. “Anddo it safely.”

7

After a rugged bull ride, Justin Heelers trainers help a dazed cowboy off theAstrodome floor to their mobile unit for observation.

Sam

Pie

rson

Page 10: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

F E A T U R E

8

ifty-five years ago,A.S. Crutcher, anoilwell supply

dealer, asked Ralph Johnston toput up $200 to purchase a steerfrom one of the calf scramble con-testants. That experience hookedJohnston on the Houston FatStock Show. In 1946, he becameco-chairman, with Gail Whitcomb,of the Steer Auction Committeeand five years later, in 1951,Johnston was elected as the thirdpresident of the Show.

The newly formed Steer

Auction Committee guaranteed aminimum floor price of 50cents per pound for the auction.The purpose of the minimumfloor price was to ensure eachexhibitor a price above the goingmarket rate for his or her animal,which, at that time, was 17 cents

per pound. Surprisingly, themorning of the sale, 636 youngcompetitors and their steersarrived at the Sam HoustonColiseum. Johnston andWhitcomb sold the steers, but ittook several weeks to raise addi-tional money from other business-men to pay the kids.

A man who converted a child-hood love of farms and ranchesinto “big business,” Johnston wasbest known as a oil operator andwas actively involved in the dis-covery of the South Houston oil

field in 1932. He once comment-ed, “The fattest cattle are thosewho grow rubbing their backs onoil derricks.” Actually, the con-nection is more logical. Mostthrifty people, even though theyare drilling for the fullest of richesbeneath the plot of land, can’t bear

to see the top of it going to waste.Johnston’s genius as an

entrepreneur was a significant ingredient in the early success ofthe Show. He personally spear-headed a drive to get new mem-bers for the Houston Fat StockShow. At that time, a $10 feemeant voting rights on the Show’spolicies and free admission to theShow. The result of his effortsmeant 800 new Show members.

During Johnston’s presidency,the Salt Grass Trail Ride beganwith a roll call of four members,and the Show’s Go Texan com-mittees were established. Bothmade the public more aware ofthe city’s Western heritage andpromoted the Show by encourag-ing Western dress and persuadingthe business community to dis-play banners and signs advertis-ing the big event.

After his tenure as presidentfrom 1951 to 1954, Johnstonattended his last Show at theopening performance held in theAstrodome in 1966. That was theyear the Show’s name waschanged to the Houston LivestockShow and Rodeo.

Johnston’s legacy lives onthrough his children, lifetimevice president James J. Johnstonand his younger sister, directorJerry Johnston Andrew. Severalgrandchildren also are active onShow committees.

This 55-year legacy could easilycontinue for another 55 years.Jimmy and Jerry continue theirfather’s “champion buyer tradi-tion,” having bought one or moreof the top 30 steers along withother champion animals everyyear since the death ofRalph A. Johnston.

Sometimes an exhibitor himself, Ralph Johnston won grand champion honors with hisHereford steer.

F

A F a m i l y T r a d i t i o n

Story by

Roy Elledge Jr.

Chr

isto

pher

Stu

dio

Page 11: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

9

Approaching the end of his tenure as president of the Houston Fat Stock Show, Johnston sent a message of appreciation to the 400 committee members after the 1954 Show.

Page 12: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

A N N O U N C E M E N T S

10

G o T e x a n E v e n t s

DATE (1993-94) EVENT LOCATION/TIMENov. 9 Alief Southwest Rodeo Fest club Post Oak Ranch Night Club/Houston

dance, dinner, silent auction 5 p.m.Nov. 13 NASA/Clear Creek/Friendswood Clear Lake Park/Clear Lake City

Go Texan Gallup 8 a.m.Nov. 19 Aldine/Spring/Klein bake & craft First Interstate Bank/Champions Forest

sale 9 a.m.Nov. 19-20 Walker County barbecue cook-off, Walker County Fairgrounds/Huntsville

team penning, hay hauling, photography, dominoes, 10 a.m.horseshoes, quilt, washer pitching contests

Nov. 20 Bastrop County barbecue cook-off, Lower Colorado River Authorityteam penning, hay hauling, washer Riverside Park/Smithvillepitching, photography‚ quilt‚ dominoes‚ horseshoes contests 10 a.m.

Nov. 20 Humble Saddle Up Dance Wilson Road Hall/Humble7 p.m.

Nov. 22 NASA/Clear Creek/Friendswood Go Bay Oaks Country Club/Clear Lake CityTexan Golf Classic 10 a.m.

Nov. 30 Aldine/Spring/Klein Rodeo Dance Midnight Rodeo Night Club/Springand dinner buffet 5 p.m.

Dec. 7 Spring Branch/Memorial dance Wild West Night Club/Houston5:30 p.m.

Dec. 11 Fort Bend/Stafford bowl-a-thon Fair Lanes Bowling Alley/Stafford1 p.m.

Jan. 8 Spring Branch/Memorial Diamonds & Marriott Hotel, Galleria/HoustonStuds Gala 5 p.m.

Jan. 14 Aldine/Spring/Klein dinner, dance Wyndham Hotel, Greenspoint/Houston6 p.m.

Jan. 14-16 Cypress/Fairbanks Go Texan Weekend Trader’s Village Flea Market/Houstonbarbecue cook-offs, student chili 12 p.m.cook-offs, rodeo contests, dance

Jan. 15 Fayette County barbecue cook-off, Fayette County Fairgrounds/LaGrangeteam penning, hay hauling, horseshoes‚ dominoes‚ 10 a.m.quilt‚ washer pitching contests

Jan. 18 McLennan County barbecue cook-off, Heart of Texas Fair complex/Wacoteam penning, hay hauling, horseshoes‚ dominoes‚ 10 a.m.quilt‚ washer pitching contests

Jan. 19 Deer Park kick-off party, auction Bushwacker’s Night Club/Pasadena5 p.m.

Jan. 21 Deer Park concert Pasadena Convention Center6 p.m.

Jan. 21-23 Deer Park cook-off and Olympic Pasadena Rodeo Groundsgames weekend, contests, arts & crafts show 7 p.m.

Jan. 22 Deer Park dance Pasadena Convention Center7 p.m.

Jan. 22 Alief/Southwest kick-off dance, Marriott Hotel, Galleria/Houstondinner, fashion show, auctions 8 p.m.

Jan. 22 Tomball Diamonds & Denim Dance, Del Lago Resort/Conroedinner, auctions 8 p.m.

Jan. 29 Brazos County barbecue cook-off, Brazos County Pavilion/Bryanteam penning, hay hauling, washer 10 a.m.pitching contests

Jan. 29 Katy dance and dinner VFW Hall/Katy6 p.m.

Feb. 4-6 Grimes County barbecue cook-off, Grimes County Fairgrounds/Navasotateam penning, hay hauling, washer 10 a.m.pitching contests

Feb. 5 Tomball Go Texan Dance, auctions VFW Hall/ Tomball8 p.m.

Feb. 26 NASA/Clear Creek/Friendswood Rodeo Bay Area Park-n-Ride/Clear Lake CityExtravaganza Day bus trip 3 p.m.

Feb. 28 Katy bus trip Various locations/Katy5 p.m.

March 18 Deer Park Golf Classic Clear Lake Golf Course/Clear Lake City11 a.m.

Page 13: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

O F F I C E R P R O F I L E S

11

orses have been a part of John Causey’s life forso long that he can’t even remember the first

time he rode one or had one of his own.“I’ve always been around them,” said Causey. He owns

quarter horses for team roping and, of course, is involvedin every aspect of the horse show and sales at the HoustonLivestock Show. He also is a proud 17-year veteran of theTejas Vaqueros trail ride.

Causey, who became a member of the HorspitalityCommittee more than 15 year ago, served as vice chair-man and chairman of that committee before becomingGeneral Horse Show Chairman and now vice presidentand officer in charge of all horse show activities.

As such, he supervises the 15 committees it takes toorganize this prestigious aspect of the Show. Under hisleadership, the Horse Show has undergone several verysignificant changes. Causey says that the most notablechange has been the consolidation of the many horse salesat the Show, which were previously organized and host-ed by each individual horse breed’s association. Recently,the sales were combined into one major auction, theHouston Livestock Show Premier Horse Sale.

Horse Show committee members now organize andstaff this entire event. “Having hands-on control over thisauction has greatly increased the quantity, quality andreputation of this sale,” Causey said. The 1993 sales fig-ures for the Premier Horse Sale totaled $285‚350‚ an 8 per-cent increase over the previous year.

Causey and his wife, Babs, have four children, DeDe,John, Donny and Thomas. Causey also operates his owncompany, Cinco Pipe and Supply. Occassionally, he isable to make time for a fishing or hunting trip.

“I get immense personal satisfaction from working inthis organization,” said Causey. “I’ve made lifelongfriends, and knowing we are raising money for kidsand scholarships makes it even more rewarding.”

uzanne Epps’ involvement with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo came about in a

somewhat “backwards” way from that of many volunteers.Many years ago, she and her late husband Jim

bought steers after the Show to sell as beef in their chainof grocery stores.

A native of Robstown, Texas, Epps attended theUniversity of Texas. She met her husband while he was incadet training at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. Theymoved to Houston in 1946 and started a grocery store chain.

It was simply a natural progression from displaying“Stock Show Beef” signs in their stores to serving on com-mittees at the Show. Her husband, who was the motivatorbehind their Show involvement, was chairman of theSteer Auction Committee and later served as a Show vicepresident. She served as chairman of the Ladies’ SeasonBox and Ladies’ Souvenir Program committees, and was amember of several others.

In 1992, Epps was elected as a Show vice president, thefirst woman to be elected in this position.

As a vice president, Epps oversees the Breeders Greeters, Western Art, Magazine, Ladies’ Go Texan,Communications—Editorial and Communications—Broadcast committees.

When not tending to Houston Livestock Show andRodeo business, Epps oversees operations on her cattleranch outside Centerville, Texas, plays tennis and enjoyshiking and biking.

Two of her three children, Jim and Susan, are active onShow committees while daughter Laura lives in Dallas.She also has five grandchildren.

Epps feels one of the most rewarding aspects of being anofficer is attending the scholarship presentations.

“Getting to meet those kids and knowing that their edu-cations are what all this work is about really putseverything into perspective.”

H S

V i c e P r e s i d e n t P r o f i l e s

John H. Causey Suzanne Epps

Kay

e M

arvi

ns P

hoto

grap

hy,

Inc.

Sam

Pie

rson

Page 14: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

C O M M I T T E E P R O F I L E S

12

C o m m i t t e e S p o t l i g h t

Story by

Pam Henson

or two days prior to the startof the rodeo, the northwestcorner of the Astrodome park-

ing lot is transformed into aminiature village—almost remi-niscent of a wild west movie stu-dio lot. The mood seems chaot-ic...as hundreds of trucks haul inelaborate booths, pits and tents,along with the supplies needed tocook tons of barbecue. As thebooths come together and the pits

are stoked, the mouth-wateringaroma of barbecue slowly beginsto permeate the air.

It’s cookoff time.Coordinating the Houston

Livestock Show and Rodeo’sWorld’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest is a true lesson inorganization. More than 395 vol-

unteers, headed up by co-chair-men Frank Crapitto and Robert E.Paine IV, put in countless hours tohost more than 200 teams.

To accomplish such a feat, thecommittee is divided into ninedivisions: judging/scoring, com-mittee area, equipment acquisi-tion, beer sales to contestants, beersales to public, recycling, gate, GoTexan and health inspections.Together these volunteers pull offan event equal in size to itsname—world’s championship!

This year, more than 65,000people each paid a $5 admissionto stroll through the grounds,bringing in more than $325,000 inrevenue just from gate sales alone.In addition, a record number—17,000 pounds—of aluminumcans were recycled for nearly$5,300 in revenue.

“We started the recycling pro-gram about four years ago,” saidCrapitto. “People were becomingmore environmentally conscious,and it was the right thing to do.Along the way it’s also turned outto be a good source of revenue forthe Show.”

According to Crapitto, there isa lot of corporate support for thecontest. “Many companies usethe contest to promote theirbusiness,” he said. “They invitetheir customers to come by forlunch or dinner. I know of onecompany this year that fed morethan 3,000 of their customersand families.

To keep things lively through-out the day, the committee hosteda media breakfast contest again

this year. “This was something westarted in 1992 and plan to con-tinue,” said Crapitto. “Althoughwe had fewer teams involved inthe breakfast contest this year, theones that did participate got reallyinvolved in it. Next year, we hopeto expand it to include all thelocal radio and television stationsas well as teams from our newspa-pers and magazines.”

Over the years, the contest hascontinued to grow. Crapitto, whohas been involved with the contest since it was formed as partof the Go Texan Committee 20years ago, was not only one of the original members of that committee, he also was on one ofthe 13 teams that cooked the firstyear. “Back in the early days, itwas open to the public with noadmission charge,” he said.“Anyone could come in, and therewere no restrictions on the number of teams.”

Richard Bean, the committee’sofficer in charge, also can add alittle insight into the early contests, “Since I first becameinvolved in the committee in1980, the contest has grown, contracted and grown again.”

Leadership and exceptionalorganization are critical to thiscommittee, as members must coordinate thousands of people,hundreds of booths and tons offood for this opening week festivi-ty at the Houston Livestock Showand Rodeo.

All this intense effort answers onecritical question...who makesthe world’s best barbecue?

Committee co-chairman Frank Crapitto waits forthe verdict as lifetime vice president J.J. Acy samples some of the “famous fixins” at the Bar-B-Que Contest.

World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Committee

F

Sam

Pie

rson

Page 15: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

13

very day, as Texas commutersmake their ways to their destinations on the state’s

highways, billboards inform andeducate them on everything fromthe location of a city’s newestnightclub to where they can gettheir cars tuned and lubed. Duringthe months of February andMarch however, billboards sendout a welcome cry—IT’S HOUS-TON RODEO TIME!

“The goal of the OutdoorAdvertising Committee is to sim-ply maintain an awareness of theHouston Livestock Show andRodeo to the public through out-door advertising,” said CarlaCooper, a veteran of the outdoorindustry and immediate pastchairman of the OutdoorAdvertising Committee.

Reaching that goal depends onthe cooperation and generosity ofnumerous outdoor companieswho donate valuable billboardspace to theShow eachyear. A total of80 billboardsand posters,estimated at a value of$64,000, weredonated for the1993 Show.

Selecting theareas that need billboards is one of the mostchallengingaspects of the committee’s job.“We use figures provided each

year by the Show indicating thepercentage of people coming fromeach county,” explained RichardBean, the committee’s officer incharge. “The counties with thelowest attendance are the ones wetarget for additional advertising.”

In addition to the billboardspace, the committee also securedadvertising space (called “truckbacks”) on the backs of 300 beerdistributing trucks. Additionally,the committee also placed morethan 300 point-of-purchase dis-plays at various convenience andgrocery stores within the greaterHouston area.

Since the functions of this com-mittee are so specialized, it willnot surprise anyone to discoverthat Cooper and the 14 committeemembers all work, in some capac-ity, for the outdoor advertisingindustry. These committee mem-bers use their contacts with thecommunity’s outdoor advertising

companies to arrange for donatedbillboard space. The Show itselfcovers the cost of the paper onwhich the billboards are printed,the printing charges and any ship-ment incurred from sending themto other cities.

“The Outdoor AdvertisingCommittee provides a highly visible means of information and communication to the general public in and aroundHarris County,” said Bob Bates,newly appointed chairman of the committee. “Our committeegoal for the upcoming year will be to improve our locationstrategy. I think that by working as a team, we can do it, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

News of the 1993 Show adorned numerous freewaysin Houston and other cities across the state.

Story by

Pam Henson

Outdoor Advertising Committee

E

Page 16: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

C O M M I T T E E P R O F I L E S

14

C o m m i t t e e S p o t l i g h t★

Story by

Yahsmine

Catli-Cowan

hat started almost 30 yearsago with a group of lessthan 10 members has blos-

somed into a dedicated 135-mem-ber team full of enthusiasm andefficiency, the Communications—Editorial Committee.

Under the leadership of officerin charge Suzanne Epps andchairman Sharon Woodfin, thiscommittee collects and distributesa vast array of information aboutthe Show in the form of surveys,press releases, photographs andmedia kits. The committee alsostaffs the press box during the

Show’s two-week run, and writespress releases and takes pho-tographs of the previous year’scalf scramble winners at the annu-al Calf Scramble Banquet.

Work for the committee beginsin the summer. Members spendfour nights in July, and again inNovember, phoning thousands of

Houstonians and asking themwho and what they would like tosee at the next year’s Show. Theyconduct face-to-face surveysbefore each of the 18 rodeo perfor-mances, with members stationedat various locations outside of theAstrodome. During the 1993 sea-son, a total of 6,000 surveys andquestionnaires were recorded.The results of these surveys aretaken into consideration by theShow’s management staff whenmaking decisions on the Show’supcoming entertainers and newattractions.

Additional pre-Show activityfor the committee continues inJanuary. Closeted in one of theShow’s meeting rooms, membersspend three nights knee-deep inpress releases at their annual“stuffing session.” They collate,stuff and send out thousands ofpress releases to all of the Texas

radio and television stations andmail media kits to newspapersacross the state. These newspaperkits include specific informationabout each of the local 4-H andFFA entrants in the HoustonLivestock Show.

Before the Show commences,the committee’s writers researchand write preliminary pressreleases for all of the Go Texancontests, including hay haulingand team penning, which are heldin Brenham, Texas.

During the Show, the commit-tee stays active taking pictures ofthe Go Texan contest entrants, aswell as calf scramble winnerswith their county extensionagents, agricultural science teach-ers and donors. Last year, morethan 1,000 photographs and presskits were distributed to young-sters’ and contestants’ hometownnewspapers.

“The volume of work our com-mittee does before and during theShow is unbelievable,” saidWoodfin. “The members workvery hard and diligently. But mostof all, everyone enjoys workingwith the kids. I really enjoy thefact that when I’m down on theDome floor after the calf scramble,that even if the kids are sick totheir stomachs or hurt from running around so hard, it’s still always ‘yes, ma’am, no sir.’You just don’t hear that muchanymore. So that’s a pleasure initself. They’re just a good bunch of kids. They make all thework worthwhile. Theyreally do.”

Communications—Editorial Committee

W

Work for this committee means being knee-deep in press releases, pictures and paperworkto spread news of the Show across Texas. (from left to right, William Harris, Marilyn Long,Joe Harris, Possum Perrere, Sharon Woodfin.)

Sam

Pie

rson

Page 17: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

15

hen the first SwineAuction Committee wasformed, a championship

pig weighed between 210 and 250pounds and was purchased foraround $600.

While the weights and measure-ments haven’t changed much, thedollars paid for these prize-win-ning pigs has done nothing butskyrocket!

At the 1993 auction, the grandchampion barrow sold for anastounding $77,000.

“Last year’s presale figurestotaled approximately $850,000—an all-time record—and total salesfor the committee have exceeded$1.2 million,” said committeechairman, Steve Aldridge.

The committee’s 135 membersraise the necessary money for theguaranteed presale for more than650 youngsters who are exhibitingat the Houston Livestock Show.

Last year, the committee was sosuccessful, it was able to guaran-tee $550 per animal instead of thestandard $400 presale amount inpast years.

In addition to the responsibilityof coordinating committee func-tions, members also are requiredto secure a minimum of 10 indi-viduals to each contribute $400for the purchase of a barrow.

Serving on the Swine AuctionCommittee requires a lot of hardwork, but not without a lot of fun.Committee activities range fromthe “Pig Squeal Party,” whenmembers are presented awardsbased on their previous year’ssales to the “Hog Haven Club,”where members are awardedprizes based on their current sales

totals. It all makes for a “squealing” good time.

The “Pig-in-the-Poke Club” is aspecial group reserved for mem-bers who have met a presale goalof $4,000 prior to the committee’sbadge meeting in January.

Annually, the committee alsohosts the “Pig Skin Party,” whereit honors the previous year’schampion barrow buyers.

Other awards include “Pick of

the Litter,” presented to an out-standing committee member eachyear.

Throughout the years, the com-mittee’s motivation has continual-ly soared. Aldridge recalls whenhe was “Rookie of the Year” in1985 with $5,000 in sales; lastyear’s “Rookie of the Year,” RobinYoung, recorded more than$30,000 in presales.

“What makes this committee so

unique is that we also areinvolved in the community on amore personal level,” saidAldridge.

For the past two years, membershave reached out into the community to those less fortunate, and even hosted aChristmas party at the TexasInstitute of Rehabilitation.

Aside from organizing theseholiday festivities, the committee

donated a new wheelchair to theorganization with funds fromtheir annual committee dues.

But perhaps what most portrays the enthusiasm and dedication of this committee istheir slogan, created by past chairman Williard Mercier. It best describes this group of hard-working volunteers.......LITTERLY PROUD!

Story by

Cheryl Dorsett

Swine Auction Committee

WS

am P

iers

on

Members of the Swine Auction Committee wouldn’t miss the Grand ChampionBarrow selection for anything!

Page 18: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

o most people involvedin the Show’s activities,it is impossible to imag-

ine this enormous event in anylocation other than theAstrodome. But had it not beenfor the vision of a small group ofmen, led by then-Show PresidentStuart Lang, spectators might stillbe parking their cars along thestreets of downtown to get to theHouston Livestock Show andRodeo.

Recognizing that the SamHouston Coliseum would not ful-fill the long-term needs of theShow, the organization’s directorspurchased a tract of land onHighway 290 at Loop 610. Thisoccurred just on the eve of a majorevent in Houston’s history—theconstruction of the Astrodome.Upon learning of the plans for thenew super dome, Lang believedthat only the “eighth wonder ofthe world” could match theprominence and stature he felt theShow could obtain.

The route to the Dome was anarduous one, and the Show wasfortunate to have for guidance anex-cheerleader and militaryleader. Lang, believing that theHighway 290 site was too costlyand could not provide adequategrowing room, sold the property.Then, in the middle of discussions about the Astrodome,city officials vehemently objectedto the move out of the Coliseumand the downtown area. Theyoffered to place the Show in thenew Albert Thomas ConventionCenter.

Staying steadfast to their vision,Lang and others recognized thatregardless of the size of whateverdowntown facility might be con-structed, there simply was notenough room in the downtown

area to accommodate the crowdsand traffic they wanted the Showto attract.

Lang finally prevailed.The Show leased the

Astrodome for the rodeo and con-structed the Astrohall, and laterthe Astroarena, for the livestockand horse shows. All thisoccurred, even despite such set-backs as a still-miffed city father“yanking” the Astrohall’s build-ing permit because of a minortechnicality. By 1966, the Showhad a new home, laying the solidfoundation for a new and expan-sive phase in its history.

Lang’s early career preparedhim for the challenges he was toface as the Show’s president. Bornin Kerrville, Texas, in 1921, Langattended San Jacinto High Schoolwhere he served as head cheer-leader and then joined the footballteam, ultimately becoming an all-district halfback.

He obtained a degree in eco-nomics from PennsylvaniaUniversity Wharton School ofFinance and immediatelyembarked on a military career. Heserved with the U.S. Army 10thMountain Division in Italy duringWorld War II. Upon leaving themilitary, Lang saw a businessopportunity in Houston andestablished Mechanics UniformSupply Co., which he led as pres-ident for many years.

Drawn by the contributions theShow made to the Houston com-munity, Lang first becameinvolved with the Show in the1950s. He became a director in1959 and served as president from1964 to 1966.

Always a leader and a contribu-tor in his community, Lang hasbeen active in many other localcivic and charitable organizations,

serving as president and chairmanof the board of the 100 Club ofHouston. Lang spends a great dealof his time today in his high-risehome in Houston with his wifeJane, visiting his two children andmany grandchildren frequently.

Lang’s memories of his longassociation with the Show markhis pride in being highly instru-mental in a decision that hasproven successful beyond hisimagination. Such are the rewardsthe Show offers those individualswilling to dedicate theirtime and resources to it.

16

E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e P o r t r a i t

TStory by

Ann Jacobs

The Show’s seventh president, H. Stuart Lang Jr.

Sam

Pie

rson

H. Stuart Lang Jr.

Page 19: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

17

M a n a g e m e n t F e e d b a c k

ith only threem o n t h sr e m a i n i n g

until February, we are now in thehome stretch of preparations forthe 1994 Show.

Through this column, theHouston Livestock Show andRodeo management staff is able toaddress many of your remarks andquestions raised in the committeemember surveys. We also caninform you of the many changesand modifications being made toimprove Show presentation andoperations.

SEASON BOX HOLDERS’BADGE ELIMINATION: As theShow has grown tremendouslyin the past five years, and wehave sold almost each perfor-mance to capacity, standing-room crowds have become amore critical issue. Additionally,with the potential admittance ofmore than 10,000 volunteers andone guest per volunteer, selloutperformances are exceeding safe-ty standards of the Astrodome.Therefore, the Show must initiatesome method to control the mas-sive numbers of patrons, or wemay lose rodeo performancebadge privileges for our commit-tee volunteers. We believe elimi-nating the season box holders’badge is the best solution avail-able in balancing the needs ofeach of our supporters with oursafety concerns.

ASTROHALL PLAZA: Also, onthe subject of crowds, we havehad numerous comments regard-ing congestion in the Astrohalland Astroarena, particularly in theareas surrounding the petting zoo.As Mr. Jordan mentioned in hisopening message, we have devel-oped Astrohall Plaza, which isdesigned to greatly improvepedestrian traffic flow. This new

section, 100 feetwide and spanningthe length of thewest side of theAstrohall, will hostthe pig races as wellas one of three pet-ting zoos. All specta-tors leaving thehorse show andAstrohall will berouted throughAstrohall Plaza foraccess to the carni-val and rodeo.Patrons leaving the rodeo whowant to visit the carnival, pettingzoo, pig races and livestock showwill be channeled through thisAstrohall Plaza route.

This new addition will alleviatecrowd congestion in theAstrohall, but more importantly, itwill disperse patrons in an order-ly fashion through these areas.

SHUTTLE BUS: One of the bestways you, the volunteers, canhelp relieve congestion problemsis to ride the shuttle bus.

This year, each spectator whorides the shuttle bus from one ofthe three park-and-ride locationswill receive a complimentaryticket good for one free ride atthe carnival.

CARNIVAL COUPONS: Pre-saleride coupons for the new carnival,operated by Ray CammackShows, will be available begin-ning Nov. 2. This advance carni-val entertainment package willinclude 35 carnival ride coupons,five 2-for-1 game coupons and aminimum of one 2-for-1 food ordrink coupon. This advance pur-chase offer represents a savings ofalmost 50 percent!

Through the Show’s GroupTicket Sales Committee and theShow’s ticket office, this packagewill be sold from Nov. 2 through

Feb. 11. Begining in January,Houston-area Kroger stores will beselling the ride coupons also.After Feb. 11, regular carnivalride, food and game rates will take effect.

This offer represents a valuablepackage consumers can takeadvantage of prior to the start ofthe Show and helps bolster thefinancial bottom line of our orga-nization.LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Wehope you have enjoyed the firstthree issues of the Show’s maga-zine and benefited from the infor-mation presented. In a effort tocontinually address the interestsof our volunteers, we will have a“Letters to the Editor” sectionbeginning with the February 1994issue. So we welcome your com-ments, questions and suggestionson story ideas, editorial content of the publication orinquiries about general Showinformation. Please include yourname and phone number and

send to: Letters to the Editor,Magazine, P. O. Box 20070,

Houston, Texas 77225-0070.With the best volunteer force

in the country behind us, we areassured a fantastic, successfulevent in 1994. Thanks for allyour hard work—see you atthe Show!

W

Kids will be able to enjoy three petting zoos at the 1994 Show,one of which will be located in the new Astrohall Plaza.

THE MANAGEMENT STAFFGeneral Manager: Dan Gattis Assistant General Managers: Don Jobes Jr. • Leroy Shafer • Tom Quarles • Tom Bartels • Skip Wagner

Managers: Steve Woodley • Suzy Brown • Mike DeMarco Assistant Managers: Lori Renfrow • Gary Richards • Debbie Scofelia

Fra

nk M

artin

Page 20: Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters of … · Serving and Informing the Volunteers and Supporters ... Leroy Shafer Suzy Brown Production Editor ... When I first started

Bulk RateU.S. Postage

PaidHouston, TX

Permit No. 9791

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

JANUARYDECEMBER FEBRUARYM T W T F SSM T W T F SS

26 27 28 29 30 31

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

3 41 2

M T W T F SS

2330 25 26 27 28 2924

31

9 10 12 13 1411 15

3 4 5 6 7 82

1

27 28

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

6 7 8 9 10 1211

3 4 51 2

Houston Livestock Show and RodeoP.O. Box 20070Houston, Texas 77225-0070

24-Merry Christmas! Showoffices closed

Happy New Year!21-Membership Dance inAstrohall

16-Horse Show opens inAstroarena17-World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and carnivalopen to public19-Downtown rodeo parade androdeo run; opening of livestockshow; first rodeo performance at7p.m.; Go Texan activities;school art contest, photographycontest and quilt contest winning entries on display19-27-International Days

MAGAZINE

D A T E S T O R E M E M B E R