Logo for the Be Cowboy Scholarship in memory of Fon McConnell, featuring a stylized cross with a circle in the center, written in purple text.

The Fon McConnell Be Cowboy Scholarship, an endowment created in memory of Fon McConnell. Fon believed deeply in the strength of the Western sports community: its grit, its heart, and its responsibility to look out for one another.

In that spirit, Western Sports Foundation is proud to expand the Be Cowboy Scholarship to now include a complementary Team Resilience Grant, beginning in Spring 2026. Together, these programs honor Fon’s legacy by supporting athletes who lead with character and by strengthening the wellbeing of the teams who support them.

Spring 2026 applications are now closed. Scroll to learn more about the scholarship and meet previous recipients!

Spring 2026 Recipients

  • A young woman with blonde hair sitting on the grass in a field, next to a brown horse, with hills in the background and clear sky.

    Faith Marshall

    Faith Marshall is a junior studying Finance at Montana State University. During her time at MSU, she has been blessed to be a member of the university’s renowned rodeo team, competing in barrel racing, goat tying, and breakaway roping. She recently qualified for her first CNFR, where she made the short round in goat tying.

    Although she loves living in Montana, she is originally from Junction City, Oregon, where she rodeoed, played basketball, and graduated high school as valedictorian. She always known that rodeo would be a part of her life, and she is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to compete while attending such an amazing university. She deeply admires everything Western Sports Foundation stands for and is truly an honored to be selected as a Fon McConnell Be Cowboy Scholarship recipient.

    After college, Faith plans to attend law school, where she hopes to earn a degree and specialize in Natural Resources Law, with the goal of making a positive difference for those in the industries that provide so much for our country.

  • Young woman with long blonde hair smiling while kneeling in a field of tall grass with green leaves and trees in the background, wearing a white jacket, distressed jeans, and multiple jewelry accessories.

    Landry Haugen

    Landry Haugen is a junior studying civil engineering at the University of Wyoming.  As a third-generation member of the rodeo team, she is very proud to say that she comes from a long line of UW cowboys and cowgirls! 

    Landry has two sisters, Arina and Blaisely, who are also avid rodeo competitors and push her every day.  Landry is incredibly grateful to her parents, Dee and Tyler Haugen, as well as her coaches, Jacey Hupp and Seth Glause, for their continued support of her efforts and growth.  

    As a recipient of this Scholarship, Landry hopes to foster the ‘Be Cowboy’ spirit of grit, perseverance, and most of all love.

  • A woman in a cowboy hat, denim shirt, and jeans standing with a gray speckled horse outdoors.

    Raegen DeLancey

    Raegen DeLancey is a senior at the University of Wyoming, where she will graduate in Spring 2026 with a degree in Agricultural Communications and minors in Equine Science and Journalism. She is currently in the process of applying for law school at the University of Wyoming and plans to practice agricultural law upon graduating.

    Raegen is a member of the UW Rodeo Team, where she competes in breakaway roping, team roping, and barrel racing. Outside of UW, Raegen is the secretary for the Hell On Wheels Rodeo Company, an open rodeo series that has been produced by her family for the past seven years.

    Raegen is also deeply involved in another family business—raising performance horse prospects and collecting their three stallions: Fiestas Dynasty, Tresseis Royal Fame, and Heza Fiery Fling on their ranch, the Rodeo Ranch in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

About the scholarship

  • Each academic year, WSF will award two individual scholarships in the fall and two in the spring.
    Separate applications are required for each cycle.

    These scholarships are designed for college-aged Western sports athletes who demonstrate:

    • Academic strength and integrity

    • Mental toughness and personal resilience

    • Leadership in athlete wellbeing

    • A commitment to mental health advocacy within their team or community

    • Alignment with WSF’s mission to empower athletes “in the arena and in life”

    Applicants will complete an essay reflecting these themes, helping identify students who can be a strong, positive voice for mental health throughout the school year.

  • In conjunction with each scholarship cycle, WSF will also award a Team Resilience Grant to the rodeo program (or equivalent academic unit) of each selected recipient.

    These grants support team-level mental health and brain-health initiatives, which may include:

    • Mental performance or mindset training

    • Resilience and wellbeing workshops

    • Concussion baseline testing and brain-health education

    • Access to counseling or mental health resources

    • Guest speakers or sessions delivered through WSF partnerships

    This expansion ensures that Fon’s legacy lifts not only individual athletes, but the full teams and communities around them, strengthening Western sports from the inside out.

    • Applicant must be a current or recently retired Western sports athlete

    • Applicant shall have no relationship with any member of the Scholarship Selection Committee

    • All required materials must be submitted via email to both ECersosimo@wsf.org and mharvey@wsf.org

    • Completed Application Form (including Essay)

    • Official transcript of grades from high school or college/trade school

    • Copy of active Pro Card (eg:  NHSRA, NIRA, PBR, PRCA, etc.) OR letter from current coach

    • Successful Applicant(s) will be asked to send a short paragraph and/or video describing effect of scholarship

  • Current High School Students are not eligible to apply for the Spring Scholarship.

    High School Graduate/Continuing Educational Pursuit

    • Plans include attending Community College, University, Trade School

    • NOT participating in pro/amateur rodeos

    • Eligible:  Two Semesters

    High School Graduate/Continuing Educational Pursuit

    • Plans include attending Community College, University, Trade School

    • Currently participating in pro/amateur rodeos

    • Eligible:  Two Semesters

    High School Graduate/College Student

    • Currently enrolled in Community College or University

    • Member of College/University Rodeo Team

    • Eligible: Four Semesters

    Retired Rodeo Athlete

    • Must provide copy of last Pro Card

    • Eligible:  Two Semesters

    • Completed WSF Scholarship Application

    • GPA Minimum:  3.0

    • Essay:  2–3 Paragraphs (250–500 words)

    • Letter of Recommendation: Two

    • Scholarship Award(s) will be sent directly to the Recipient's school of enrollment in the Recipient's name and include Recipient's Student Identification Number (to ensure proper posting by School)

    • Scholarship Funds are to be used for Tuition, On-Campus Housing (Room + Board, including Meal Plans), and Books

    • Scholarship Funds are to be used for current semester only (not for previous or future semesters)

    • If Scholarship Recipient has personally paid Tuition, On-Campus Housing (Room + Board, including Meal Plans) and/or Books within 60 days of Application Approval, funds may be payable/reimbursed to the Recipient from the awarded scholarship funds (with proper documentation and receipts)