Broncho Bash brings in the cash

EDMOND – The number of students engaging with Broncho Catholic on the University of Central Oklahoma campus continues to soar.

Support for Broncho Catholic is soaring, too.

The fourth annual Broncho Bash was held Sept. 6 at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, raising a record of more than $100,000 for the ministry. Father Alex Kroll, chaplain of Broncho Catholic, made an appeal for donations to fund a new outdoor evangelization space for the student center. 

"This area will provide a place to welcome students for fun and opportunities for prayer and evangelization," he said.

Preliminary figures show that the event raised $104,091 to support the ministry’s efforts at UCO.

More than 200 guests attended, including Archbishop Paul Coakley, several priests from across the archdiocese and University of Central Oklahoma President Todd Lamb.

In a brief address to the audience, Lamb shared his support, along with his wife Monica, UCO alumni and leadership council members Dr. Lee and Sherry Beasley. 

"We are fully supportive of this ministry and its role in enhancing the spiritual life of our students," Todd stated, noting the importance of faith-based outreach on campus.

Later in the evening, Daniel McKnight, a FOCUS team member, spoke about the positive impact of the ministry on UCO students, emphasizing its role in strengthening students’ faith and forming lasting connections within the Catholic community.

Director of Campus Development Joy Murphy expressed her gratitude to the leadership council for their hard work. 

"I am incredibly impressed with the dedication and commitment of the leadership council this year," Murphy said. "We also recently established a new endowment last month, thanks to Peter de Keratry and the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma. This will ensure continued support for the ministry for years to come."

The next Broncho Bash will be scheduled for Fall of 2025.



Photo: University of Central Oklahoma students, FOCUS missionaries, Fr. Alex Kroll and Todd G. Lamb, president of UCO, attended the 2024 Broncho Bash on Sept. 6 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond. Photo Avery Holt.