HAYS, Kan. -- Saddle-up for Fort Hays State University's 44th annual N.I.R.A. rodeo beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, and continuing through Sunday, April 18.

The "Greatest Show on Dirt" will take place at the Doug Phillip Arena, Golf Course Road, off of Highway 183 By-pass in Hays.

The rodeo features nine events: bareback riding, tie-down roping, break-away roping, saddle-bronc riding, steer wrestling, goat tying, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding. More than 450 competitors will represent 23 schools, colleges and universities from Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri in 600 contests throughout the three days.

Sunday's championship round begins at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children under the age of 13. Tickets are available at the Memorial Union on the FHSU campus, Orscheln's, 2900 Broadway Ave., and Vanderbilt's, 2900 Vine St.

For more information, contact Dr. Garry Brower at (785) 628-4366 or gbrower@fhsu.edu.