| UTM Rodeo fans invited to say goodbye to Nelson’s long hair | | Posted: Wednesday, September 1, 2010 12:02 pm
| 
UTM Asst. Rodeo Coach Nelson Davis | | | Chances are you do not know Nelson Davis, but you know Nelson’s ominous, salt and pepper, flowing locks of hair.
Davis, an athletic trainer and assistant rodeo coach at The University of Tennessee at Martin, is getting a haircut at 8 Wednesday night in Skyhawk Fieldhouse. Admission for the historic haircut is $1 at the door and the “hat” will be passed during the event. All proceeds from the haircut will go directly to the UT Martin rodeo team.
Davis usually trims his own hair. In fact the Southern Illinois native is the only person to cut his hair since he was 13 years old. The barber for this big night will be former UT Martin cowboy and national champion Jeff Askey, the victor of a long-time challenge issued by Davis.
“I have been telling all the kids on the rodeo team if they win a national championship they could cut my hair,” Davis said. “They can cut it, but they cannot shave it unless the team wins the national championship.”
The rodeo team finished third in the nation in 2008 and Davis took a big sigh of relief.
“I don’t feel good about this,” said Lynn Davis, Nelson’s wife. “I like Nelson’s long hair. It’s his signature.”
Lynn Davis is worried about two things – the barber and the end result. “I think Nelson will have fullfilled his end of the bargain at the national finals.”
Askey won the bull riding national championship with an 88-point ride on China Grove in the championship short round of the national finals in June. Since winning the title, Askey has been riding bulls on the professional circuit. “I am riding bulls at least five days a week,” Askey said.
In addition to watching the haircut, fans will get to meet the 2010-11 UT Martin rodeo team and watch Askey’s national championship ride on China Grove.
WCP 8.31.10 | | | | |
