What We Do: Education & Career
Life in the Western sports industry demands grit, determination, and passion. But what happens when it’s time to step out of the arena and into a new chapter? Whether you're a retired athlete, a current competitor preparing for the future, or someone seeking growth outside of rodeo life, Western Sports Foundation (WSF) offers resources to help athletes prepare for and succeed in life after rodeo.
Through Education & Career Services, WSF provides tailored resources to help Western athletes develop new skills, explore career opportunities, and build fulfilling futures. From financial literacy workshops to resume-building guidance and scholarship programs, WSF empowers rodeo athletes at all levels to take the reins of their future with confidence.
Read on to learn more about the education and career services WSF provides to Western athletes.
Photo courtesy of NHSRA
Scholarships
Through the support of generous donors, WSF facilitates distribution of scholarship funds for current and retired rodeo athletes seeking to enroll in a university, community college, technical school, or certification program. Applicants are chosen based on GPA qualifications, participation in rodeo, financial need, and other factors, depending on the specific scholarship. These funds are available to athletes of any level, whether they’re embarking on their education journey at age 18 or 45.
In 2024, WSF unveiled the Fon McConnell Be Cowboy Scholarship, an endowment honoring the legacy of avid Western sports fan Fon McConnell. This scholarship annually awards up to ten $2,000 scholarships to current or retired Western sports athletes who demonstrate dedication to the Western way of life, cowboy values, and academic excellence.
Career Coaching
In partnership with WSF, Of The West provides athletes with the tools they need to develop strong personal and professional networks and prepare them for opportunities after they exit the arena.
Career coaching can help current and retired rodeo athletes find their ideal path by applying skills they’ve already acquired to a new career after rodeo.
Meet the Team
WSF trusts only the best with our athletes’ care. Get to know each of our Education & Career providers below.
Jessie Jarvis, FOUNDER & CEO, OF THE WEST
Jessie was raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, which instilled in her the importance of a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for American agriculture and the western way of life. In 2020, Jessie founded Of The West, a job platform that focuses solely on jobs in the agriculture and western industries. Jessie deeply understands the obstacles one must navigate when job hunting or looking to hire for employment or project purposes in the agriculture and western industries.
Katie Hollingsworth, PCC, CPC, ELI-MP, OWNER, KRAVE COACHING + CONSULTING
Katie is an ICF Certified Professional Coach specializing in Mental Performance and Leadership coaching. Katie has combined her lifetime of rodeo experience with her expertise in coaching to support competitive athletes at all levels using a proven methodology to develop techniques for optimizing performance through visualization, goal setting, overcoming negative self-talk, and more. She also works with leaders and entrepreneurs to find clarity with their goals and attain sustainable results.