Platte Valley Bank Wyoming Donates $100,000 to Support EWC’s New Horse Boarding Facility

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – Platte Valley Bank Wyoming presented a $100,000 donation to the Eastern Wyoming College Lancer Rodeo program on June 10, demonstrating continued support for one of the college’s longstanding athletic traditions.

“We are proud to be strong supporters of the college and Lancer Rodeo,” Platte Valley Bank Wyoming Community President Brett Malm said.

Platte Valley Bank Director Joe Guth said the rodeo program has played an important role at Eastern Wyoming College and in the community for many years.

“We want to continue to support the program and the program’s impact on the community,” Guth said.

Platte Valley Bank Chief Operating Officer Justin Murphy said supporting the program carries personal significance. Murphy’s sons, Logan and Garrett, were members of the rodeo team while attending EWC.

“Lancer Rodeo is near and dear to us,” Murphy said.

The donation will help address one of the program’s most pressing needs by supporting the development of centralized horse boarding for student-athletes, according to EWC Head Rodeo Coach Whit Peterson.

“This donation is a transformative investment in the future of EWC Rodeo and our student-athletes,” Peterson said. “Unlike other collegiate rodeo programs in Wyoming, our students often face significant financial and logistical challenges securing affordable, dependable horse boarding.”

Peterson said the gift, along with support from additional donors, will help create a dedicated facility where rodeo athletes can safely board their horses while remaining closely connected to practices, training and team activities.

“Providing centralized horse boarding will remove a major barrier for current and future student-athletes and strengthen the long-term success of our rodeo program,” Peterson said.

The gift of $100,000 from Platte Valley Bank leveraged an additional $100,000 match from the Wyoming Community College Challenge Matching Program, according to Director of Eastern Wyoming College Foundation Lisa Johnson.

“Platte Valley Bank helped us reach 25 percent of our campaign goal,” Johnson said.

The foundation launched a $4 million capital campaign to construct horse boarding facilities for the EWC Rodeo Program. The project includes developing site infrastructure including utilities and building up to 60 horse runs in close proximity to the Goshen County Fairgrounds.

More information about the project can be found at www.friendsofewcf.org/rodeo.