While most American universities enjoyed a good old intercollegiate football game, at the University of Arizona, rodeo was the sport of choice. And boy, did they make it look cool…
In 1947, for the eight annual intercollegiate rodeo, Life photographer Peter Stackpole paid a visit to the cowboy (and cowgirl) university for the event of the year.
I wonder if they came to class dressed like this everyday?
↑ And is that a pistol embroidered into the sleeve of his shirt?
Coca Cola cowboys…
It looks like the boys has an interesting technique for picking up the ladies, involving a lasso…
Those college cowboys sure knew how to goof around…
But also, they were pretty good at sitting around on rodeo fences looking like an old-school ad for Marlboro.
Yup, life at “Rodeo University” looks like a grand ol’ time…
Full photostory found in the LIFE Archives
