After the nationwide votes were tallied, the College National Finals Rodeo held in Casper each June was named the "Best Multi-Sport or Multi-Discipline Collegiate Event for 2009" by Sports Travel Magazine.

The announcement came at the Sports Travel Awards luncheon in New Orleans last week.

The award was based on thousands of initial nominations sent in by readers of Sports Travel Magazine. Once the six finalists in each category were announced in August, the voting took place online to determine the winners.

The CNFR shared the ballot with five other collegiate events that took place this year throughout the country. They include the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa; the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Johnson City, Tenn.; the NCAA Division II Winter National Championships Festival in Houston; the NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.; and the STIHL TimberSports Collegiate Challenge in Columbus, Ga.

"This national award was the total package of city, county, state and college rodeo working together to produce a highly successful event that is recognized throughout the United States," said Roger Walters, commissioner of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. "This monumental achievement of the College National Finals Rodeo Committee and College Rodeo just goes to prove that together, with one purpose, great things are achievable."

The 2009 College National Finals Rodeo marked the 11th year for this tremendous event in Casper. This year's CNFR welcomed 363 participants from 87 colleges and universities, representing 33 states and four Canadian provinces. The CNFR proves to be one of the signature events for the state of Wyoming each year. The 2009 event recorded a 15 percent jump in ticket sales from the previous year as nearly 19,000 fans flocked to the Casper Events Center for the competition.

"The CNFR is a great vehicle to showcase Casper and Natrona County every June to rodeo fans from around the country," said Aaron McCreight, CEO of the Casper Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Winning this incredible award is testament to all of the work that goes into hosting the CNFR. We are blessed to have the group of remarkable, selfless people that make up the CNFR committee. This award is for everyone involved, from the fans and sponsors to the participants and crew."