Imagine twisting, turning and being jerked about on the back of a violent bull. To prepare for the real deal, the ISU Rodeo Club has purchased a new mechanical bull for practice.

The Rodeo Club picked up its new mechanical bull in Cheyenne, Okla. at the end of August.

Club members have been working hard to replace the old mechanical bull for several years, said Alex Rodeck, Rodeo Club member and senator for Government of the Student Body, who helped write the grant for the bull.

Jim Seevers, treasurer for the Rodeo Club, said the old bull had been “out of commission” for four to five years.

It wasn’t until recently that funds for the new bull became available.

Rodeck, senior in animal science, said parts that were needed to repair the bull were expensive and hard to locate.

“It would have cost more to fix than to buy a new one,” said Rodeo Club member Jason Hallberg, junior in agricultural business.

Rodeck said he made it his personal goal to get the bull for the Rodeo Club. After more than four months of work, along with help from GSB, Rodeck reached his goal.

GSB funded the majority of the $12,000 needed to purchase the bull through a special allocation. Seevers, sophomore in agronomy, said the Rodeo Club also raised about $1,000 toward the total purchase price.

Funds were obtained through the annual fund raiser, the Stampede Rodeo, as well as member dues and a rental bull used during Veishea.

There are many future plans for the bull. In addition to being used by rodeo participants as a tool for practice, the bull also will be used for fund raising, said Marie Chase, Rodeo Club historian.

The club has rented a bull for Veishea and Agriculture Week in the past, but the profit was only what was left after the rental fee was taken from the total of money raised, she said. Since the club owns the new mechanical bull, the club will generate more revenue when the bull is used for fund raising.

The mechanical bull also will be used in conjunction with GSB since it helped pay for the bull through student fees.

“A lot of people like [riding the bull] and people aren’t going to want to stop once they start,” said Chase, junior in animal science.

“[The bull] is also a great way to get our name out.”