Dr. Brian May was First Recipient of Spur Award in 2001

Dr. Brian May was the first recipient of the prestigious Gold Spur Award and received the honor in 2001.

A book could be written about the countless volunteer contributions that Brian made to benefit the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association. All the way from committee work to serving as an officer and eventually leading the Association as President, Brian was totally committed to always doing what was best for the Association.

Brian made a distinct contribution by serving as as the catalyst in the major building program that began on the San Angelo Fairgrounds in 2000. Brian was the single individual who provided the spark that developed the faith, confidence, and enthusiasm within the SASSRA that was needed to lay the foundation for a building program that lasted 13 years and totally changed the personality of the San Angelo Fairgrounds. The result of this inspiring contribution can be seen today in the impressive facilities located on the Fairgrounds. These modern and functional facilities have been a major contributing factor in the growth of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo and also in the attraction of new events to the fairgrounds.

Past Winners

2001
Brian May

2002
Gary Hodges

2003
Richard Albert

2004
Chris Dublin

2005
Raymond Taylor, Sr.

2006
X.B. Cox, Jr.

2007
John Dublin

2008
Kermit Wendland

2009
Cynthia Wittenburg

2010
Ervin Schwartz, Jr.

2011
Matt Matthews

2012
Fred Ball

2013
No Award

2014
Jerry Bunyard

2015
Tony Churchill

2016
Beverly Gay

2017
Joe Collins

About The Golden Spur

The Gold Spur award began in 2001 and is noted for its story and history with San Angelo’s own Holland Jewelry Co. It is presented annually to an outstanding volunteer who has given of his or her time beyond the call of duty during the annual stock show and rodeo and the other events hosted by the association.

The selection committee has one of the most difficult tasks of the association. It must identify a candidate, out of nearly 1,000 people, that all share the same passion for the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. This deed is put on the shoulders of the Association’s best people. Any organizations best asset has always been its team and the Association’s team is as strong as ever in its 86th year.

Out of all the recognition given, this one earns the greatest appreciation from the peers of the award winner. It’s the Golden Spur award, and the award comes from Holland Jewelers with the reputation for “earning one’s spurs”. Dating back to 1936, with the country emerging from the difficult years of the Great Depression, Mr. Holland designed a miniature sterling silver spur tie clasp as a symbol of recognition, given to someone who had “earned his spurs.” Two of these first “spurs clips” were presented to President Franklin Roosevelt and Vice-President John Nance Garner.

The award recipient and the reputation of the Golden Spur go hand in hand. The previous winners of the award are a who’s who among San Angelo’s best. The bearer of this award is one of the best you will ever meet, and has “earned his spurs” making the organization you see today, one of the nation’s best.