COLLEGE RODEO ATHLETE ALEJANDRA FRANCO, 20, DIES AFTER INJURY DURING TEXAS COMPETITION

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

Alejandra “Ale” Franco, a member of the Tarleton State University Rodeo Team, died after being injured during a performance at the S.A.L.E. Arena in Alpine, Texas, on Thursday, September 24.

Sul Ross State University, which hosted the rodeo, confirmed that Franco died from injuries sustained during the event. She was competing in breakaway roping.

Officials have not publicly released details about exactly what happened during the performance or the specific injuries Franco suffered.

‘A TREMENDOUS PERSON’

News of Franco’s death quickly spread through the collegiate rodeo community.

Tarleton State head rodeo coach Mark Eakin described her as a “tremendous person” and an “outstanding competitor.”

He said Franco was much more than an athlete, describing her as a cherished member of the university and a leader on campus.

“She had an incredible personality and knew how to make everyone around her feel welcomed and loved,” Eakin said in a statement released by the university.

Tarleton State President James Hurley also paid tribute to Franco, saying she touched many lives through her friendly smile, leadership, kindness and the love she shared with others.

Her father, Alejandro Franco, remembered his daughter as “the happiest person, the most positive, the kindest.”

“You were and will always be my pride, my joy, my beautiful and kind girl,” he wrote in a tribute shared on Facebook.

MORE THAN A RODEO ATHLETE

Franco was not known only for her accomplishments in the arena.

At Tarleton State, she also served as a Transition Mentor, a student leadership role supporting incoming students as they adjusted to university life.

Friends and fellow students remembered her as someone who made others feel welcome.

She had also competed in Mexico’s traditional equestrian sport of charrería, including with Escaramuza El Gran Chaparral of Jalisco before her college rodeo career.

Her connection to horses and competitive riding therefore extended well beyond her time at Tarleton.

A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

Sul Ross State University’s rodeo team announced that the weekend’s remaining events would continue as scheduled in Franco’s honor.

Counselors were made available to support athletes and others affected by her death.

Purple ribbons were also distributed at the arena, with spectators encouraged to wear purple as a sign of support for Franco’s family, teammates and the wider rodeo community.

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

‘HER IMPACT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN’

Franco had celebrated her 20th birthday just one month before her death, with Tarleton Rodeo sharing a birthday tribute on August 25.

Now, those who knew her are remembering the young athlete for the life she lived away from the spotlight as much as for her performances in the arena.

Her university said her legacy would live on through the people she influenced.

For her family, teammates and friends, the loss is immeasurable.

Alejandra Franco went to the rodeo arena as a young athlete pursuing something she loved.

She never came home.

And across Tarleton State University and the collegiate rodeo community, she is now being remembered not only for the competitor she was, but for the kindness, warmth and leadership she brought to the people around her.