BY BETHANY KILPATRICK Editor-in-Chief The pride of the purple vest, the "nine-strong" mentality, and a team holding 37 national championship titles is a force one couldn't keep quiet if they wanted.

Now, Tarleton State University's rodeo team looks to make it 38, as they kicked off the collegiate rodeo season in Abilene, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Cisco College Rodeo.

Tarleton is one of seven schools making up the Lone Star Region within the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and set the standard at the first college rodeo by claiming the men's and women's champion titles, six out of nine event champion titles as well as Faith Lundberg being named the all-around cowgirl.