This year's North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame class, officially inducted in June, includes several notable North Dakotans who executive director Darell Dorgan says make it a truly special group.
"What really made it special was the induction of Brad Gjermundson, who is the only four-time world saddle bronc riding champion ever to come out of North Dakota, and also former North Dakota Gov. Arthur Link."
Gjermundson joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1980 and promptly earned the Rookie-of-the-Year award. He qualified for his first national finals in 1981 and qualified nine times after that. Now retired from the professional rodeo circuit, he is actively involved with the Champions Ride at the Home On The Range ranch, a home for disadvantaged boys and girls.
Qualifications for the Great Westerner Division are focused on recognition and values.
"It has to be someone who has gained national recognition, a promoter of western values and the plains horse culture," Dorgan says. "For instance, the other inductees have included Theodore Roosevelt, Sitting Bull and Sacagawea."
ADVERTISEMENT
Link began his legislative career in 1946 when he was elected to the State House of Representatives. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1970 and to the governorship of North Dakota in 1972, serving until 1980. He has been an devoted supporter of the hall of fame and was the honorary chair of the initial capital fundraising campaign.
An eighth inductee into the Hall of Fame's Legacy Award Division, Williard Schnell of Dickinson, was selected by the board of directors for his contributions to the sport of rodeo, his support of the ranching industry and his efforts to build the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Among the other 2009 inductees are ranchers, a saddle club, a "horse whisperer" and two other bronc riders.
The 200 trustees of the hall are responsible for selecting the inductees into the Hall of Honorees. More than 110 ranchers, bronc riders, distinguished persons, events and rodeo animals have been inducted in the past 12 years.
Formal induction ceremonies into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame were June 26 and 27 in Medora.
2009 North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame inductees
n Pre-1940 Rodeo Division, Melvin Griffin, Medora.
n Modern Era Rodeo Division, Brad Gjermundson, Marshall, and Angus Fox, Mandaree.
ADVERTISEMENT
n Pre-1940 Ranching Division, Perfecto Fernandez, Fort Berthold Reservation.
n Modern Era Ranching Division, George Fenton, Dunn County.
n Great Westerner Division, Arthur Link, McKenzie County.
n Cowboy Long Rider Division, John Hovde, Epping.
n Legacy Award Division, Willard Schnell, Dickinson.
n Special Achievement Division, The 50 Years In the Saddle club.
