EVENTS
Rodeo Announcer
Calf Roper
Steer Wrestler
Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, in 1927, Tom Hadley began his rodeo career as a junior roping contestant at age ten. He commenced announcing rodeo performances while in college, and it was there that he made a name for himself in the sport. He was instrumental in organizing the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, and in 1959 was the first NIRA steer wrestling champion.
Hadley began announcing rodeos as a full-time profession in 1953. Over nearly 50 years, he did more than 6,000 sportscasts in 33 states, Canada, Mexico and Cuba. His voice became familiar at many major venues, including Madison Square Garden in New York; Fort Worth, Texas; and Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He announced the Texas Circuit Finals, National Intercollegiate Finals, North American Indian Finals, National High School Finals, and presided at the National Finals Rodeo in 1971, 1973 and 1982. Hadley became noted for a smooth, conversational style whose commentary aimed to inform new fans and elevate the sport to professional stature. As a rodeo ambassador, he convinced many large newspapers to place their rodeo reports and articles on the sports pages.
A writer with Florida’s Jackson Daily News summed up Tom Hadley’s intangible contribution to his favored sport: “[He] deserves credit for helping build rodeo from the nation’s most original game to its present pinnacle as a sport to be enjoyed by all members of any family group.” He retired to a ranch near Mason, Texas, where he raises Beefmaster cattle.
Tom Hadley passed away in 2008
