Paul Tierney

All-Around • Inducted 2008

The world tie-down roping champion in 1979, Tierney put together an even better season in 1980 to end Tom Ferguson’s six-year reign as all-around champion and become the second rodeo cowboy to suppress $100,000 in earnings during a single season. Tierney, who typically competed in large, black-framed eyeglasses, was second in the tie-down standings in 1980 and fourth in steer wrestling to earn $105,568. He was reserve all-around champion in both 1977 and 1979, finishing second both times to Ferguson and was forth in 1981 behind Jimmie Cooper, Roy Cooper and Ferguson. Seven times he rated among the top 10 all-around cowboys, before retiring in the late 1980s after suffering a ruptured disc. Tierney was reserve tie-down champion in 1977-78 and 1980. He had nine NFR tie-down qualifications (1977-82), 1984-86) and five in steer wrestling (1977, 1979-81, 1984). Tierney competed in six events while studying for this agricultural-business degree at the National College of Business in Rapid City, S.D., winning 10 regional titles.

World Championships: 2

All-Around: 1980

Tie-Down Roping: 1979

RAM Circuit Year-End Champion

Badlands Circuit:

All-Around: 1980, 1983, 1991, 1992

Tie-Down Roping: 1977, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1991,

Steer Wrestling: 1993

Born April 9, 1952 in Kearney, Nebraska

NFR Qualifications: 9

Black Hills Roundup / Belle Fourche, SD
All-Around: 1983
Steer Wrestling: 1984
Tie-Down Roping: 1980, 1983

California Rodeo Salinas / Salinas, CA
Tie-Down Roping: 1981

Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo / Deadwood, SD
All-Around: 1979, 1982, 1985 (tie)
Steer Wrestling: 1979
Tie-Down Roping: 1979

Dodge City Roundup / Dodge City, KS
Team Roping: 1985 (tie)
Tie-Down Roping: 1979

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo / Fort Worth, TX
All-Around: 1977, 1980
Tie-Down Roping: 1977 (tie)

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo / Tucson, AZ
All-Around: 1981
Steer Wrestling: 1980, 1981

Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo / Ogden, UT
Steer Wrestling: 1982

Reno Rodeo / Reno, NV
Tie-Down Roping: 1979

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo / San Antonio, TX
All-Around: 1980
Tie-Down Roping: 1980