Tarleton State Rodeo Athlete Alejandra Franco Dies After Accident During Texas Competition

Alejandra “Ale” Franco, a 20-year-old student-athlete and member of the Tarleton State University Rodeo Team, has died after suffering fatal injuries during a college rodeo competition in Alpine, Texas.

Franco was competing Thursday night, September 24, at the S.A.L.E. Arena at Sul Ross State University when the accident occurred. Her head coach, Mark Eakin, said the incident happened while Franco was in the roping box with her horse. Officials have not released a detailed account of exactly how the accident unfolded.

The young athlete died from the injuries she sustained during the event, leaving her teammates, coaches and the wider collegiate rodeo community mourning her sudden loss.

Remembered for her kindness and leadership

Tarleton State Rodeo confirmed Franco’s death in a statement, saying the team was “deeply saddened” by the loss of one of its own and noting the lasting impact she had on those who knew her.

Eakin remembered Franco as an outstanding competitor as well as a remarkable person. He said she was a leader on campus who had a natural ability to make people around her feel welcomed and loved.

Tarleton State President James Hurley also paid tribute to Franco, describing her as a cherished member of the university community whose smile, leadership, kindness and warmth had touched many lives.

Franco had recently celebrated her 20th birthday on August 25. She competed in breakaway roping for Tarleton State and was also known on campus for her involvement as a student mentor.

Friends remembered her for her infectious smile, contagious laugh and welcoming personality, with one description capturing how she seemed to bring joy to the people around her.

Her father’s heartbreaking tribute

Franco’s father, Alejandro, shared his grief in an emotional tribute to his daughter.

He described himself as having a “broken soul” and “shattered heart,” saying he did not know how he would move forward without her.

Alejandro remembered Ale as his world and a source of happiness in his everyday life. He described her as joyful, positive, kind and someone who seemed to get along with everyone because of her generous nature.

He also wrote that he was immensely proud to be her father and that she had been the best thing that ever happened to him.

The rodeo continued in her memory

Sul Ross State University, which hosted the competition, confirmed that the weekend’s scheduled rodeo events would continue despite Franco’s death.

Counselors were made available to athletes, while purple ribbons were distributed at the arena as a tribute to Franco. Attendees also observed a minute of silence in her memory.

Tarleton State’s team continued competing through the weekend in Franco’s honor, with teammates wearing purple ribbons supplied by the Sul Ross rodeo community. The women’s team went on to win the team championship, while Tarleton State athletes claimed four individual championships.

The tragedy has left a deep impact on Tarleton State, Sul Ross State University and the broader rodeo community, with those who knew Franco choosing to remember her not only for her ability in the arena, but also for the kindness, positivity and sense of belonging she brought to those around her.