Rodeo Head Coach Ken Mason to Step Down, John Young Promoted to Head Coach

Marshall, Mo., (May 6, 2026)- Missouri Valley College rodeo coach Ken Mason, a 23-year veteran who has built a dynasty in Marshall, Mo., has stepped down to take a similar position at his alma mater, University of Tennessee-Martin.

"I'm full of emotion right now," Mason said. "I'm super proud of the kids over the years, and the fact that the program has absolutely flourished thanks to some wonderful support from the community. I don't know about a dynasty, but we certainly have something to be proud of at Missouri Valley."

Mason's legacy will live on, said President Joe Parisi.

"I can't say enough about what an incredible man Ken Mason is," Parisi said. "He just won coach of the year here at the college. He's a true leader, and one of those coaches who will hear from his athletes for decades to come. It's because he cares. And he always shows it."

Mason is a hall of famer at UT-Martin, inducted in 2011. He was the Ozark Region champion bareback rider there in 1995 and 1997, and he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo (CFNR) in those years. UT-Martin is the only collegiate rodeo program in Tennessee, and won the men's national CFNR team title in 2014.

MVC Vice President for Athletics Marsha Lashley said that working with Mason has been "one of the true highlights of my career. Ken is one of those rare individuals who consistently does the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons."

Mason and his wife, Kari, will head to Martin, Tenn., where he graduated with a business degree in 1998.

Parisi didn't hesitate in naming Mason's replacement. Assistant Coach John Young, who has recruited many of the athletes on the current Valley rodeo team, takes over the program immediately as only the sixth coach in history.

"John is a winner," Mason said about his assistant. "He's smart, he works hard, and he's seen it all firsthand. He deserves it. I prayed hard and I looked hard for the perfect person when we were searching, and John was definitely the guy."

"I can't wait to see where John takes us," Parisi said. "He has prepared for this job for many years, and he is more than capable. He has a work ethic like no other."

Lashley expressed the same level of confidence in Coach Young.

"He has a solid foundation to start on, and I have no doubt John Young will continue the momentum of the program and its ongoing success," she said.

Young is completing his second year at MVC. Prior to arriving at Missouri Valley, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Iowa Central. Prior to his time in coaching, he was an experienced bull rider at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels. He is a three-time Iowa High School Rodeo state champion as a bull rider, and a four-time national high school rodeo qualifier.

Young qualified for the CFNR twice and finished sixth in the nation in bull riding in both 2012 and 2013. Professionally, he competed in nine Great Lake Circuit Finals, and won the year-end championship in 2012, 2015, and 2022. In 2013, he was the Ram National Circuit Finals Bull Rider Champion.

"I am honored to be the sixth head coach in Missouri Valley rodeo history," Young said. "I'm excited for the future. We will continue to help our athletes find success in and out of the arena."

Young and his wife, Victoria, live in Marshall. She works in the admissions office at MVC.

About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.