The centerpiece of the permanent exhibit in the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center is the Hall of Champions. This gallery space honors all of the South Dakota professional rodeo competitors who have been recognized as world champions beginning in 1929. Because of Casey Tibbs’ promotion of the idea of a season-ending match competition, these champions have been crowned annually at the National Finals Rodeo. Visitors enjoy the suspended video screen that continually displays National Finals Rodeo championship rides by these same legendary South Dakota winners.

Congratulations to the newest inductee to the Hall of Champions, World Champion Bullfighter, Jerry Norton.  The induction ceremony took place at the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center on September 26, 2010.  To see photos from the event, click HERE.

Alvin Nelson

1957  Saddle Bronc Champion

Billy Etbauer 

1992  Saddle Bronc Champion

1996  Saddle Bronc Champion

1999  Saddle Bronc Champion

2000  Saddle Bronc Champion

2004  Saddle Bronc Champion

 Casey Tibbs 

1949  Saddle Bronc Champion

1951  Saddle Bronc Champion

1951  Bareback Champion

1951  All Around Cowboy Champion

1952  Saddle Bronc Champion

1953  Saddle Bronc Champion

1954  Saddle Bronc Champion

1955  All Around Cowboy Champion

1959  Saddle Bronc Champion

 Chad Ferley

 2006  Saddle Bronc Champion

Clint Johnson 

1980  Saddle Bronc Champion

1987  Saddle Bronc Champion

1988  Saddle Bronc Champion

1989  Saddle Bronc Champion

Earl Thode

1929  All Around Cowboy Champion

1929  Saddle Bronc Champion

1931  Saddle Bronc Champion

Frank Thompson

2000  Steer Wrestling Champion

Jack Buschbom

1949  Bareback Champion

1959  Bareback Champion

1960  Bareback Champion

Jeff Willert 

2005  Saddle Bronc Champion

Jerry Norton

1998  World Champion Bullfighter

 Bullfighter joins Tibbs Ring, Capital Journal, Sept. 2010

Mark Garrett  

1996  Bareback Champion

Marvin Garrett 

1988  Bareback Champion

1989  Bareback Champion

1994  Bareback Champion

1995  Bareback Champion

Mattie Goff-Newcombe 

1927  Trick Riding Champion

Ote Berry 

1985  Steer Wrestling Champion

1990  Steer Wrestling Champion

1991  Steer Wrestling Champion

1995  Steer Wrestling Champion

Paul Tierney 

1970  Tie-Down Roping Champion

1980  All Around Cowboy Champion

Pee Wee Morris 

1946  Bull Riding Champion

Robert Etbauer 

1990  Saddle Bronc Champion

1991  Saddle Bronc Champion

Tom Reeves 

2001  Saddle Bronc Champion

Troy Pruitt  

1990  Tie-Down Roping Champion