A 20-year-old college rodeo athlete was killed after suffering fatal injuries during a competition in West Texas, leaving her family, teammates and university community devastated.
Alejandra Franco, a member of the Tarleton State University Rodeo Team, was competing Thursday night, Sept. 24, at the S.A.L.E. Arena on the campus of Sul Ross State University in Alpine when she was critically injured.
Sul Ross State later confirmed that Franco died from her injuries. Officials have not publicly released additional details about exactly what happened during the rodeo event.
The loss sent shockwaves through Tarleton State’s rodeo community, where Franco was remembered not simply as an athlete, but as a young woman whose personality and kindness left a mark on the people around her.
The Tarleton State Rodeo Team said it was “deeply saddened” by her death and asked people to keep Franco’s family, friends and teammates in their thoughts and prayers.
“Alejandra tragically lost her life yesterday, leaving behind a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” the team said.
Franco had been competing as part of Tarleton’s nationally recognized rodeo program. The university’s rodeo tradition dates back to 1947 and is among the largest collegiate programs in the country.
But the most heartbreaking tribute came from Franco’s father.
In an emotional message posted after his daughter’s death, he described Alejandra as “the happiest person, the most positive, the kindest.”
“There are no words to tell you how much I love you, how much I miss you, how much you mean to me,” he said.
He described his soul as broken and his heart as shattered, adding that his daughter had been his “everything” and the joy of every day.
“I want you to know that I’m proud to be your dad,” he wrote.
Tarleton State University President Dr. James Hurley also paid tribute to Franco, describing her as a “true Texan” and a cherished member of the university community.
Hurley said Franco touched countless lives through her smile, leadership, kindness and the love she showed others.
“Her presence will be deeply missed, but the impact she made on her Texan family will never be forgotten,” he said.
The tragedy occurred during the Sul Ross State University NIRA College Rodeo, which was scheduled to run from Sept. 24 through Sept. 26.
Sul Ross State said the weekend’s rodeo events would continue in Franco’s honor, with counselors available to provide support to those grieving her loss.
For Franco’s family, teammates and friends, however, the weekend that was supposed to be about competition and rodeo has instead become one of unimaginable grief.