OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Rodeo icons will be recognized at the Rodeo Historical Society and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's annual Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend, November 9-10, 2018, with induction into the prestigious Rodeo Hall of Fame.
 
Among those to be recognized that weekend is SWOSU Athletic Hall of Famer and longtime Bulldog Rodeo Head Coach Dr. Don Mitchell, who is receiving the Directors Choice Award. The Directors Choice is based on a decision of the RHS Board of Directors, who may choose to induct a person of their choice in any given year that they feel someone should be honored, and it is an award that is not presented every year.
 
"Doc Mitchell's name is synonymous with successful college rodeo," SWOSU President Randy Beutler said. "His teams have produced some of the best pro rodeo athletes in the world. We at SWOSU are proud of his contributions to our university and the thousands of students whose lives he has positively impacted."
 
Mitchell led the SWOSU Rodeo teams to six national team titles and 30 Central Plains Regional titles after becoming the head coach in 1967 and holding the position until his retirement in 2000. Under Mitchell's direction, SWOSU won men's team titles in 1985, 1992, 1993 and 1999 along with women's team titles in 1988 and 1994 while sending many rodeo athletes on to successful professional careers as rodeo competitors, judges and coaches. For his efforts, Mitchell was inducted into the SWOSU Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2003.
 
"It's fantastic news that Doc will be inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame," SWOSU Head Coach Mike Visnieski said. "He will be the first representative of College Rodeo to be inducted, which is a huge honor. With all the great things he and his teams accomplished, the induction is well deserved. I am very proud to call him my coach and mentor."
 
Rodeo Hall of Fame inductions and awards are sponsored and selected by the Rodeo Historical Society, an organization under the auspices of the National Cowboy Museum whose worldwide members share an interest in preserving both rodeo history and the sport itself. Membership supports the Museum's rodeo programs, including research, an oral history project, acquisition of materials for the American Rodeo Gallery, and the prestigious Rodeo Hall of Fame.
 
Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend includes the Rope 'N' Ride Cocktail Reception Friday, November 9, as well as the Inductee panel discussion and the Champions' Dinner, Induction Ceremony, and Benefit Auction on November 10. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/rodeo.
 
About the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is located only six miles northeast of downtown Oklahoma City in the Adventure District at the junction of Interstates 44 and 35, the state's exciting Adventure Road corridor. The Museum offers annual memberships beginning at just $40. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.