PBBA Announces Lifetime Achievement Award

By Kaitlyn Lee Driscoll
 

The Professional Bucking Bull Association announced the formation of the PBBA Hall of Fame’s “Lifetime Achievement Award”. The award was developed and sponsored by PBBA board members Bob and Pat Cooper of Rafter C Bucking Bulls. Inductees were presented the award at the 2009 PBBA Finals Stock Contractors Awards Breakfast at the Ramada Inn in Clemson, South Carolina. Additional inductees will be added each year based on an individual’s achievements and contributions to the sport of bull riding. PBBA Vice President Tom Smith added that the association is working on a permanent location for the Hall of Fame memorabilia to be housed. “Perpetual awards showing the history of the PBBA and NBRA will be developed and added to each year. People who have had a positive impact on the sport of bull riding and the rodeo industry will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Their contributions will be preserved for future generations to see. The PBBA is only four years old, however our membership has a long history in the rodeo industry. The hall of fame will showcase the accomplishments of cowboys, livestock and rodeo professionals in our region, East of the Mississippi.”  

The 2009 Inductees are as follows.

Scott Williams

Scott “Poncho” Williams was raised in the mountains near Salem, South Carolina. He began his rodeo career in 1975 riding bulls and broncs. He was the 1978 & 1979 SCHSRA Bareback Champion and a reserve champion bull rider. As a bull rider in the 70s through the 90s he qualified for multiple SRA and ACA finals. Scott won the PRCA Arcadia, Florida Rodeo and qualified for the IPRA Southeastern Circuit Finals five times. Poncho hung up his spurs in 1999 and picked up a judging clipboard. Scott is known and respected for his integrity as a judge in the bull riding arena and has helped many contestants become champions offering advice as an instructor . Scott promotes the sport by adhering to the rules and calling it as he sees it.

Ernie Treadway

Ernie’s rodeo career began in the 1950’s riding goats in his father’s rodeo productions. He rode bulls in the 1960’s and 1970’s and produced his first event at the age of eighteen in 1972. The Ernie Treadway Rodeo Company has raised world champion livestock and produced successful events across the Eastern United States for over three decades. Many champions, both cowboys and livestock got their start with Ernie’s assistance. He has played a major role in promoting the sport by developing new contestants, contractors and producers. Ernie is one of the original founders of the PBBA.

Devin Long

Devin “Diesel” Long from Summerville, North Carolina career in bull riding began in 1994. In 2001 Devin qualified for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Series Finals. He qualified for the SEBRA finals 14 times finishing in the top three and the top five 3 times. Devin also competed in IPRA and SRA rodeos making the SRA Finals 3 times.  His sixteen year career as a contestant was plagued by injuries including a broken back. Devin gritted his teeth and reached through the pain for a come back that included many event championships including the 2007 Carousel Farms title.  A true role model, Devin can often be found lifting the spirits of a down cowboy, giving sought after advice to a rookie or offering prayer before an event. Devin moves into the next phase of his rodeo career after hanging up his spurs in 2010.