COLLEGE RODEO ATHLETE ALEJANDRA FRANCO, 20, DIES AFTER TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN TEXAS

A 20-year-old college rodeo athlete has died after suffering fatal injuries during a competition in West Texas, leaving her university, teammates and the wider rodeo community mourning the sudden loss of a young woman remembered for her kindness, leadership and infectious smile.

Alejandra Franco, a member of the Tarleton State University Rodeo Team, was fatally injured during a rodeo event at the S.A.L.E. Arena in Alpine, Texas, on Thursday night, September 24, 2026.

Sul Ross State University, which hosted the event, confirmed that Franco died from injuries sustained during the performance. Tarleton State subsequently confirmed that she was the athlete who had died.

According to Tarleton State head rodeo coach Mark Eakin, Franco was involved in an accident with her horse in the roping box. Officials have not released further details about exactly how the incident happened or the precise nature of her injuries.

A NIGHT THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

Franco was competing with the Tarleton State rodeo team when the accident occurred.

The event was part of the Sul Ross State University Southwest Region Rodeo, held at the newly rebuilt S.A.L.E. Arena in Alpine.

What began as another competition night quickly became a devastating moment for the rodeo community.

Franco sustained injuries during her performance and later died.

By Friday, the news had spread throughout the Tarleton State campus and among rodeo competitors across the region.

Sul Ross State University announced Franco’s death in a statement, saying its thoughts were with her family, team and community.

The university also said counselors would be available to support athletes during the remainder of the weekend’s events.

SHE WAS ONLY 20

Franco had recently celebrated her 20th birthday.

Tarleton State’s rodeo team had shared a birthday tribute for her on August 25, just weeks before the fatal accident.

She was a student-athlete at Tarleton State University in Stephenville and represented the school in collegiate rodeo competition.

CBS Texas reported that Franco was originally from Mexico and competed in breakaway roping.

For those who knew her, however, Franco was remembered as much more than an athlete.

She was a friend, teammate, student and member of a close-knit university community.

“SHE WAS JUST A BUNDLE OF JOY”

Friends have described Franco as someone whose presence could immediately change the atmosphere around her.

Speaking to NBC 5, friend Aubrey Evans remembered her as “just a bundle of joy.”

Another friend, Emily Lonsford, said Franco had a contagious laugh and could make people smile regardless of what they were going through.

“She was just a light to everyone,” friend Maile Petty recalled.

Friends also remembered how Franco made an effort to ensure people around her felt included.

Her sudden death left those closest to her struggling to comprehend what had happened.

“A TREMENDOUS PERSON” AND “AN OUTSTANDING COMPETITOR”

Tarleton State head rodeo coach Mark Eakin paid tribute to Franco after learning of her death.

He described her as “a tremendous person, an outstanding competitor” and said the team would deeply miss her.

Eakin also emphasized that Franco’s impact went beyond the rodeo arena.

“Ale was more than just a rodeo student-athlete,” he said, describing her as a cherished member of the university and a leader on campus.

He said she had an incredible personality and knew how to make people feel welcomed and loved.

Tarleton State President James Hurley also remembered Franco as a cherished member of the university community.

He said she touched many lives through her smile, leadership, kindness and the love she shared with others.

HER FAMILY REMEMBERS HER

Franco’s father, Alejandro Franco, shared an emotional tribute describing his daughter as “the happiest person, the most positive, the kindest.”

He remembered her as someone who got along with everyone, had a huge heart and was always smiling.

Those memories now stand alongside the tributes from her teammates and friends as the family faces the loss of a daughter whose life was cut short at just 20.

THE RODEO COMMUNITY PAUSED TO REMEMBER HER

Despite the tragedy, the remaining rodeo events were scheduled to continue through the weekend.

Sul Ross said counselors would be present to help athletes process Franco’s death.

Purple ribbons were also made available at the arena entrance in her memory, with attendees encouraged to wear purple throughout the weekend.

At Friday night’s event, the rodeo community held a moment of silence for Franco.

The message from the arena reflected the close relationship shared by competitors who normally meet as rivals but remain part of the same community.

“If one of us hurts, we all hurt,” a speaker told the crowd.

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association also expressed its condolences to Franco’s family, teammates and the wider Lone Star Region.

A LIFE REMEMBERED FOR MORE THAN RODEO

Alejandra Franco’s death has left Tarleton State mourning a student-athlete who was remembered not only for competing at a high level but also for the relationships she built away from the arena.

Her coaches remembered her competitiveness.

Her friends remembered her laughter.

Her university remembered her leadership and kindness.

And her family remembered a young woman whose positivity touched everyone around her.

The exact circumstances of the accident and the injuries Franco suffered have not been publicly detailed by university officials.

What is known is that a 20-year-old college athlete entered the arena on Thursday night to compete with her team — and never made it home.

Now, the rodeo community is carrying her memory forward.

Alejandra Franco was 20 years old.

And for the people who knew her, her smile, kindness and love for those around her will remain long after the final rodeo of the weekend is over.