Awarded in 2023
Gaughan, Michael
1943
Nebraska
Ben Johnson Memorial Award
The Rodeo Historical Society presented its first Ben Johnson Award at its annual banquet in October 1998 during the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of Ben Johnson Jr. (1918-1996) mounted on his favorite horse, created by Mehl Lawson. The bronze is permanently located in the Museum’s American Rodeo Gallery. The annual award is presented to a living person who has been involved in the rodeo industry for a number of years and has contributed to the growth and betterment of pro-rodeo. Involvement with youth and/or community activities also is a pre-requisite for the honor. And the recipient must be someone who, like Ben Johnson Jr., creates a positive image for rodeo and the Western lifestyle.
