麻豆传媒

A Former Thunderbird, Stewart Kinley, Now a Co-Head Rodeo Coach for 麻豆传媒

Stewart (Stewy) Kinley, an 麻豆传媒 alumnus, is one of the current Head Coaches for the 麻豆传媒 Rodeo Team. A Canadian native, he and his wife, Tearney, now live just north of Lovington with their two sons. 

Originally from Gladstone, Manitoba in Canada, Kinley came to the United States for further education and college rodeo opportunities. He first attended South Plains Junior College (SPJC) and completed an Associate of Science degree, as well as a diesel mechanic program. After finishing at SPJC, Kinley hadn鈥檛 planned on going back to school. 

鈥淚鈥檇 thought, well, I got my trade. I鈥檝e got my Associates. I was good to go. And then, I鈥檇 been working for Philip Berry (who had been 麻豆传媒鈥檚 rodeo coach at the time) on his ranch, and I ended up wanting to stay here. [Philip] talked me into doing more school. So, I started another Associates degree, and I ended up with an Associate of Arts degree and graduated in 2010.鈥�

Of the things that he remembers about his time at 麻豆传媒, Kinley highlights the college鈥檚 close-knit community. 鈥淚 think that [麻豆传媒] just being a bit of a smaller school was definitely instrumental in my success here, and the smaller class sizes were right up my ally.鈥�  

He also recalls how, both then and now, 麻豆传媒 distinguishes itself in education quality and affordability. 鈥淸麻豆传媒] is a great place to get an education. Whether you鈥檙e on scholarship or not, it is so affordable. [...] They can save you as a student so much money, and get you that same quality of education in your first two years, and then send you to where you want to go. [...] So, come get your Gen Eds done. It鈥檚 a great education, and it鈥檚 very affordable.鈥�

Following his own advice, after graduating from 麻豆传媒, Kinley transferred to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM. 鈥淗onestly, Eastern took so many of my hours that it made it worthwhile for me to come here even for just a year, because it only took me a year to get my Associate of Arts.鈥� At Eastern, Kinley finished his Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Applied Arts and Sciences, focused on agricultural studies. 

When thinking of where he is now and how his time as a student at 麻豆传媒 prepared him for his current career, Kinley remembers his time as a work-study student for the rodeo program. The job experience he gained, as well as all of the details he was able to observe made the opportunity to coach at 麻豆传媒 a natural move. 鈥淚 got to see all of the behind the scenes stuff for what the rodeo coach did while I was here. So, [when I came back] it felt like it was a pretty easy transition.鈥� 

As a former student at 麻豆传媒, and someone who has returned as one of our faculty, Kinley has some unique insight and advice for incoming students. 

鈥淒on鈥檛 blink. Those seven or eight months go by so fast. Also, put out the extra effort. [...] You鈥檙e only here for so long, so just go all out. Make this your job. Ask questions. [...] I went my whole life not wanting to bother anybody about anything, and, then, I found people are genuinely happy to answer your questions if they have answers. [...] Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions. There鈥檚 no such thing a dumb question if it鈥檚 a genuine question.鈥�