Anders named Casper College Rodeo head coach
The Casper College rodeo team has a new head coach.
Faith Anders enters the position as the first female head coach in Thunderbird Rodeo history. She is joined by Assistant Coach Kris Newman.
Anders brings several years of competitive experience and two years of coaching experience within the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) to the position.
About Anders
Rodeo has long been a staple of Anders’ life. Originally from Kiowa, Colo., Anders grew up competing in high school rodeo and qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) three years in a row from 2015-17.
Anders continued competing throughout college, first at Northeastern Junior College (NJC) in Sterling, Colo. and then at the University of Wyoming (UW).
During her time at NJC, she earned the rodeo program’s Top Cowgirl Award in 2018 and 2019. Anders graduated from NJC with an Associate of Science in Sports Medicine before continuing her education at UW.
Anders rodeoed for UW for four years, serving as the rodeo team captain from 2022-23 and qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) three years in a row while working towards a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotion.
Throughout her college career, Anders served as the NIRA Central Rocky Mountain Region student director from 2021-23, in addition to earning All-Around Cowgirl and goat tying regional championship titles in 2021.
Coaching background
On the coaching side, Anders says she first learned the importance of pouring into other people from her father Dave Hoffman who coached college rodeo at the U.S. Air Force Academy for a few years throughout Anders’ childhood.
She credits Hoffman as a shining example of the importance of “pouring into the next generation” by sharing knowledge and providing support both in and out of the arena.
Anders discovered her own talent and passion for coaching in late high school, giving lessons at clinics and camps.
“Since then, it’s just blossomed,” Anders says. “God has put opportunities in my life to continue coaching. He just keeps opening doors.”
In 2023, Anders took an assistant coaching position with the Missouri Valley College Rodeo Team in Marshall, Mo. Under the leadership of Anders and Head Coach Ken Mason, the Missouri Valley Vikings finished as the reserve champion overall team at the 2025 CNFR.
“My time at Missouri Valley taught me learning about the students’ goals is most important,” Anders says. “I can have my goals for the team as a coach, but it boils down to them. We want to help them and give them the tools and opportunities to be successful.”
“It’s about as much fun – if not more fun – to see those you’ve helped win than it is to win yourself,” Anders says.
Casper College rodeo
The Casper College Thunderbirds are consistently strong competitors across the college rodeo circuit.
In June, Casper College sent seven cowboys to the 2025 CNFR. The men’s team finished fourth in the nation, with T-Bird James Perrin of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada sweeping the competition to bring home a national title in the saddle bronc riding.
Under the leadership of Anders and Newman, a standard of excellence which has long marked Casper College Rodeo is sure to continue.
The fall season kicks off Sept. 5-7 at Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. The rest of the fall schedule includes Central Wyoming College Sept. 19-21, Sheridan College Sept. 26-28, Lamar Community College Oct. 3-5 and Laramie County Community College Oct. 10-12.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
