In November’s edition of the Learfield College Rodeo Podcast, former college football player, engineer, and rodeo announcer Ryan Davis joins Shelby for an in-depth conversation.
Balancing Athletics and High School Rodeo
Davis grew up in a family rooted in the Western culture. Though he grew up in Billings, Montana and focused heavily on football and basketball, he also had a love for the rodeo world and competed in high school rodeo. The rodeo arena was a hard one to step away from after he got on his final bucking horse at the State High School Rodeo Finals in Baker, Montana, but Ryan made the decision to pursue an engineering degree and play football for the Bobcats at Montana State University.
Bobcat Football & Academics
Though the choice wasn’t an easy one, Ryan ultimately decided to follow in his family’s footsteps and attend Montana State University. He spent his time as a student athlete balancing an engineering degree and becoming a starter for the Bobcat football team. However, he didn’t wander far from his love for the western way of life, he spent a great deal of time with rodeo athletes and was roomates with some. One of the highlights of Ryan’s time at Montana State, is the rodeo team also leading the football team out onto the field at every home football game. Another special memory for Davis was winning the FCS Semi-Finals game against South Dakota State, at home to advance to the national championship, reigniting a fire in Bobcat fans across the state.
A Transition Back to the Rodeo Arena
Ryan always knew he would return to rodeo in some fashion, what he didn’t know was that it would be behind the mic as a rodeo announcer. He quickly realized he had a talent and passion for announcing. Now, Ryan announces some of the most unique events in the country, including the Spring Rodeo at his alma mater. This is a special, full-circle moment for Ryan, getting to work in the unique atmosphere of the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, with the same athletics staff that produced the football games he played in during his time at Montana State. In addition to the MSU Rodeo, Ryan announces the Valley View weekly summer rodeos in Bozeman, with a passionate, sold-out crowd almost every week. Last month, Davis worked the Indian National Finals Rodeo, one of the biggest, most unique rodeo events of the year, that ties back to his Native American culture.
Becoming a Father
When asked “What’s next?”, Ryan replied, “Another day in a paradise.” Ryan still works as an engineer in Billings and he and his wife, Hannah, welcomed their first daughter, Breyer, earlier this year. Ryan explains that his true calling is to be a dad and that he can’t wait to keep pursuing his goals with Hannah and Breyer by his side.
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