Todd Fogg, left, of rural Fairfax, Missouri, was inducted into the Murray State University Rodeo Hall of Fame on November 17, 2018. Presenting his award was J.D. VanHooser, right, the Murray State University rodeo coach. (Photo Submitted By Melissa White)

Todd Fogg rides R1 Red Scaffold in Deadwood, South Dakota, in 1984. He won. (Photo Submitted By Melissa White)

Todd Fogg of rural Fairfax, Missouri, was inducted into Murray State University’s Rodeo Hall of Fame November 17, 2018. Murray State University, the college Todd attended in the late 70s and early 80s, bestowed Todd with a beautiful plaque with his picture and achievements engraved on it.

Born in 1961 to George and Shirley Fogg, Todd was raised on the family farm in Mound City, Missouri. Todd grew up around horse shows and rodeo. He started riding calves in competition at age 8. That led to steers and then on to bulls by the age of 13. Todd also rode in bareback and saddle bronc competitions at age 15. These eventually qualified him to compete in the Little Britches Rodeo Finals.

Todd participated in rodeo all through his high school years and won the Missouri High School Bull Riding Championship as a junior in 1978. Todd made it to the short go round at the high school finals as a senior in 1979. Todd also won the All American High School All Around that year.

Following high school, Todd attended Murray State University from 1979-1982. There he helped qualify the first men’s team to the College National Finals Rodeo in 1981. Todd was reserve champion in both saddle bronc and bull riding in 1982, his senior year, in the Ozark region. Todd qualified for the short go round in the saddle bronc at the College National Finals Rodeo his senior year. In 1981, Todd become the first Miller Brewing Co. college rodeo rep for the Ozark region where he helped each college set up sponsorships from their local distributers for the rodeos. Todd was one of four reps selected in 1982, by Miller Brewing Co, for an all expense paid trip to the CNFR. While in college, Todd also competed in the PRCA, qualifying for his first Great Lakes Finals in 1980. This was the start of 11 straight qualifications in Bull Riding and/or Saddle Bronc. Todd was named Rookie Bull Rider of the year in 1982. Todd graduated Murray State University in 1983 with a B.S. in agriculture.

Following college, Todd continued to pursue a professional career in Rodeo with the PRCA in 1984, winning the Great Lakes and Worlds Toughest Tour Bull Riding Championships that same year. He also qualified for the Pro Tour Finals in Casper, Wyoming.

Todd’s 1984 season was cut short due to multiple head injuries and he was advised to retire. However, being the typical hard-headed cowboy, he could not accept that. In January of 1985, Don Andrews of Justin Healing Program, who was also a hockey coach, assisted Todd in getting fitted for a helmet. And after getting approved by the PRCA, Todd became the first bull rider to wear a helmet full time. Still wanting to keep with the cowboy tradition, Todd got a BIG felt cowboy hat and stretched it over and attached it to the helmet.

Todd went on to become the Reserve Champion in Bull Riding for the Great Lakes in 1985 and 1986. Todd continued to compete in rodeo until his retirement in 1992 and is a Gold Card Holder for the PRCA.

Todd still continues his love for rodeo by judging IRA, URA, MRCA, and IRCA rodeos in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri and has judged the Tarkio Rodeo for the last three years.

Todd now makes his home in rural Fairfax, where he owns and operates Midwest Recreation, Inc. Through Midwest Rec., Todd  builds playgrounds and operates his own skid steer business. When not working or judging, Todd enjoys hunting, fishing, motorcycling, and spending time with family and friends.