Memorial Event Attracts Celebrities, Benefits Colorado State Students

Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences students and the Colorado State Rodeo team members will benefit from the Mike Cervi Junior Memorial Extravaganza, a scholarship fundraiser and tribute to the late rodeo celebrity.

The event, slated for August 7 at Island Grove Park in Greeley, features a celebrity cowboy rodeo, country music stars including a performance by Grammy Award winners "Asleep at the Wheel," dinner, and silent and live auctions.

Mike Cervi, Jr., died in a private airplane crash last year. He was a top-20 team roper in the PRCA and husband of two-time world champion barrel racer Sherri Cervi. The extravaganza is organized by his family, including his father, Mike Cervi, a pro-rodeo producer.

"When my son Mike was growing up, he did all the wonderful things that make a parent proud," said Mike Cervi. "Just as his potential was coming into view, fate struck and left a marvelous promise unfulfilled. It is my thought that this scholarship, given in my son’s name, might provide the opportunity for many young people throughout the years to come to have an education they might not otherwise receive. It is my hope that, with the advantage an education provides, each might create his or her own legacy and fulfill the promise that young Mike could not."

The event begins with the celebrity rodeo at 4 p.m. featuring team roping, team penning, a match of two world-champion bronco riders, barrel racing and a sky-diving cowboy who will jump from an airplane and try to land on a bull. Actors and country and rodeo celebrities Jim Shoulders, Larry Mahan, Ty Murray, Roy Cooper, Red Steagall, Tom Reeves, Jerry Diaz, Baxter Black, Wilford Brimley, Brad Johnson and Pam Minick are scheduled to appear.

After dinner, the evening concludes with entertainment, including some surprise appearances, and a live and silent auction. Auction items including registered quarter horses, roping school, Colorado Rockies season tickets, saddles, jewelry and works of art.

Proceeds from the event will establish a scholarship endowment in the name of Mike Cervi Junior to benefit Colorado State students in the College of Agricultural Sciences or on the rodeo team.

Individual tickets to the entire extravaganza, which includes the celebrity rodeo, dinner, entertainment and actions, are available for a $250 donation; tables for 10 people are $2,500, or $3,000 donations to be seated with a celebrity or enter team roping or team penning. Tickets to watch the celebrity rodeo are available for a $10 donation at the gate. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Susan Lane at 303, 849-5189, PO Box 336323, Greeley, Colo., 80633, or cervi@aol.com.