Candidate is second to meet with NWC officialsThe search for Northwest College's next rodeo coach continues on Monday when the second of two finalists, Louisiana's Ryan Vander Pluym, interviews on campus. The search committee met with Cody's Christopher Witcher on Wednesday to begin the interview process. “I learned of the open position through the Northwest College website,” said Vander Pluym, who currently resides in Winnsboro, La. “I have been pursuing a coaching position for the last year, but haven't accepted any offers as the programs didn't match what I was looking for.”Vander Pluym is no stranger to the region. A native Montanan, he competed in college rodeo's Big Sky region as a member of the Dawson Community College team and later the University of Montana, Western team. “I know without a doubt that the Big Sky region is one of the toughest regions in the entire NIRA and likewise produces some of the best rodeo cowboys and cowgirls nationwide.”As one might expect, Vander Pluym can trace his involvement in rodeo back to his youth. His dad was a fulltime rodeo competitor when he was growing up and he attributes the lessons learned inside a college rodeo arena for assisting him in finding success in the professional world. “That was a goal of mine ever since I can remember,” said Vander Pluym, who still competes at the professional level in steer wrestling and also has competed as a team roper. “I'm a family man now, so I don't travel full-time any more.”The Northwest College position appeals to Vander Pluym as a way to pass along some of what he learned. “I had some great coaches and mentors in the rodeo programs that I was involved in and truly desire to instill these values into a team of my own,” said Vander Pluym. “The most important tool that college rodeo offered me was a higher education, and that is something that I want to instill in my team.”Vander Pluym is the last of the finalist candidates scheduled to be interviewed by Northwest College at this time.

Candidate is second to meet with NWC officials

The search for Northwest College's next rodeo coach continues on Monday when the second of two finalists, Louisiana's Ryan Vander Pluym, interviews on campus. The search committee met with Cody's Christopher Witcher on Wednesday to begin the interview process.

“I learned of the open position through the Northwest College website,” said Vander Pluym, who currently resides in Winnsboro, La. “I have been pursuing a coaching position for the last year, but haven't accepted any offers as the programs didn't match what I was looking for.”

Vander Pluym is no stranger to the region. A native Montanan, he competed in college rodeo's Big Sky region as a member of the Dawson Community College team and later the University of Montana, Western team.

“I know without a doubt that the Big Sky region is one of the toughest regions in the entire NIRA and likewise produces some of the best rodeo cowboys and cowgirls nationwide.”

As one might expect, Vander Pluym can trace his involvement in rodeo back to his youth. His dad was a fulltime rodeo competitor when he was growing up and he attributes the lessons learned inside a college rodeo arena for assisting him in finding success in the professional world.

“That was a goal of mine ever since I can remember,” said Vander Pluym, who still competes at the professional level in steer wrestling and also has competed as a team roper. “I'm a family man now, so I don't travel full-time any more.”

The Northwest College position appeals to Vander Pluym as a way to pass along some of what he learned.

“I had some great coaches and mentors in the rodeo programs that I was involved in and truly desire to instill these values into a team of my own,” said Vander Pluym. “The most important tool that college rodeo offered me was a higher education, and that is something that I want to instill in my team.”

Vander Pluym is the last of the finalist candidates scheduled to be interviewed by Northwest College at this time.