RAPID CITY - Paul Tierney, of Oral, is currently in Farmington, N.M., coaching his son Jesse at the National High School Finals Rodeo. A former professional rodeo cowboy, Tierney spends most of his time coaching.

"I always wanted to be a strong influence on the next generation," Tierney said.

On July 12, Paul Tierney was honored for rodeo feats of his own, by several generations. He was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Hall of

Fame.

"It was just really cool," Tierney, 56, said. "The PRCA made it really special. They truly made you feel like you are something special."

Tierney was selected in the category of top all-around cowboy,

and he had a fine rodeo career at the top level.

From 1977 to 1987, Tierney was rated as one of the top 10 all-around cowboys in the PRCA. He qualified for every National Finals Rodeo from 1977 to 1986 with the exception of 1983.

Tierney began to rodeo on his family's ranch near Broken Bow, Neb. After a good high school

career, Tierney joined the rodeo program at National American University.

Enjoying the climate in Rapid City, Tierney stayed in the Black Hills for the rest of his rodeo career and after.

He won his first world championship as a tie-down roper in 1979, but 1980 is the year that Tierney says was the "sweetest."

After winning the reserve all-around title in 1977 and 1979, Tierney won the world championship all-around title in 1980, ending the six-year reign of famous cowboy Tom Ferguson.

Tierney took the lead in the all-around standings early in the year and did not relinquish it, becoming the second cowboy in history to surpass $100,000 in earnings for a single season with $105,568. That year, he was second in the tie-down roping and fourth in steer wrestling.

Those accomplishments were submitted to the PRCA. Tierney said that only a small number of cowboys have a chance at being nominated. Still fewer are inducted.

"You had to have done something big," he said.

Tierney enjoys the recognition from his peers.

"You go through a lot in life, go to national finals," Tierney said. "To be recognized by your peers and others that went before you, it's really a great honor."

Tierney said the PRCA hosted a top-notch ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo., which included a nice dinner and then the induction ceremonies.

Tierney currently enjoys coaching his two sons - Paul David, 26, and Jesse, 19 - who are currently competing in rodeos. He also helps his young girls take care of and ride horses.

As far as Tierney's future, some of his greatest ventures are the calf roping and team roping camps that he operates. He works with youth from a five-state area, and a hall of fame nod will certainly help boost his credentials.

More than that, he says his success in working with youth stems from truthfulness, especially in explaining life after rodeo.

"Rodeo is like every sport," Tierney said. "It is not forever."

But Tierney's honor, unlike the sport, is forever.