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EmailThe 56th annual Spartan Stampede Rodeo returned to the Michigan Farm Bureau Pavilion February 14–16, bringing thousands of fans to this beloved rodeo tradition.
Attracting over 10,000 spectators and competitors, the Stampede is one of the largest annual events at the Farm Bureau Pavilion.
Student leadership, international acclaim
Organized by the MSU Rodeo Club, students coordinate nearly every element of the event production. The club recently received its eighth Indoor Rodeo of the Year award from the International Professional Rodeo Association.
“Going onstage and celebrating this win with all the club members there was the best feeling. The Rodeo Club has been working so hard for the past few years to try and win Indoor Rodeo of the Year for the eighth time, so this is a huge accomplishment.” MSU Rodeo Club President Eliza LaFavers, Animal Science (’27)
“From the beginning, I have always thought, if we are going to do a rodeo here at MSU, we’ve got to do it better and cleaner than anyone else. And amazingly, they’ve chosen us as the best indoor rodeo, this is out of like 300 rodeos across North America, the United States and Canada.” – Brian Nielsen, professor in the Department of Animal Science and the MSU Rodeo Club’s faculty advisor for the last 28 and half years.
View the full Spartan Stampede photo gallery
One final ride
Nielsen began advising the club in 1997 after competing in collegiate rodeo himself. What began as a short-term commitment turned into nearly three decades of student mentorship and program growth.
The evening performance on Sunday February 14 was Nielsen’s 108th Spartan Stampede as faculty advisor. It was also his final performance, as he will retire from MSU in July.
“What I value the most are these club members, making them better people and creating experiences that will be beneficial for life. And that's what this club has allowed me to do. But it’s time for someone else to take the reins. It’s been a great ride.” Dr. Brian Nielsen, MSU Rodeo Club Faculty Advisor
Community-forward mission
The Rodeo Club’s mission is simple: to educate and serve. In addition to the Stampede, they organize many initiatives throughout the year, including:
- Youth Day draws hundreds of schoolchildren for ag education
- School reading visits (especially during Reading Month in March)
- Nursing home and memory care visits, providing therapeutic engagement and connection for residents and families.
- The club’s charity jackpot (now in its 14th year) selects a new cause annually; the 2026 Stampede supported Rodeo for Lives, a group that promotes rodeo education and equine therapy for youth from underserved communities.
Empowering the Farm Bureau Pavilion of the future
The 2026 Stampede coincided with growing momentum around the Farm Bureau Pavilion expansion, a renovation project kick-started by a lead gift from the MSU Rodeo Club nearly a decade ago.
The MSU Board of Trustees recently approved planning for a major expansion at the Farm Bureau Pavilion. Two design concepts are under evaluation with progress tied to fundraising. Each year, around 100,000 guests visit the Farm Bureau Pavilion, contributing over $7 million annually to the local economy. Flagship events include the Spartan Stampede, the Michigan Livestock Exhibition, 4-H and FFA youth events, the Michigan Horse Expo and the Lansing Home and Garden Show.
“This is a shared space, and the expansion will benefit the whole community. The students who pledged those funds wanted to see the Farm Bureau Pavilion continue to grow. We all want to come back years from now and see a space that is even better for contestants and families.” – Eliza LaFavers
“The Farm Bureau Pavilion has proven its worth and its value and being able to expand it just increases that value for Michigan. Students took the first step. Now it is time for alumni and partners to help bring this project across the finish line.” – Brian Nielsen
Learn more about how you can support the expansion of the Michigan Farm Bureau Pavilion here.
