Butch Knowles is a part of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class of 2023 as a rodeo notable. Not only did he have a phenomenal rodeo career, but he also helped the sport of rodeo as an announcer and more.
“Well, I’ve always liked to be involved. When I was in high school, I was on the board of directors, in college, I was on the board of directors. You know, I’ve always liked being in those positions as well,” Knowles said.
His broadcasting career came about in what Knowles describes as a funny story. He was rodeoing in Tucson, traveling with a group of guys that included some Canadians. This also happened to be when the U.S. Hockey Team beat the Russians in the Olympics. With Canadians there to explain it all, Knowles became a hockey fan.
“I thought, you know, that’s one thing that we make the mistake on in rodeo… You and I talk terminology, we can throw bronc riding terms all around, but we don’t break it down in simple fact to someone who’s never rode a bronc,” he said.
From there, Knowles took it upon himself to educate the people, elevate the sport of rodeo and level up. His broadcasting career would go on to be part of what earned him a place in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame among many other accomplishments, including producing the first Farm-City Pro Rodeo in Hermiston, Oregon.
“It’s real special, I’m absolutely the luckiest guy in the world to get to have the life I’ve had,” he said.
Knowles is one of eleven inductees that will be inducted on the weekend of July 13-15 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
