The Texas rodeo community is mourning the death of Alejandra Franco, a 20-year-old Tarleton State University student-athlete, following injuries sustained during a rodeo performance in Alpine, Texas.
Franco was competing at the S.A.L.E. Arena at Sul Ross State University on Thursday night, September 24, when she suffered serious injuries during the event. She later died from those injuries, according to statements from Sul Ross State University and Tarleton State University.
Her death has sent shockwaves through the Tarleton State rodeo program and the wider intercollegiate rodeo community, with teammates, coaches, university officials and fellow competitors remembering her as a respected athlete and valued member of the Tarleton community.
What Happened to Alejandra Franco?
Franco was participating in the Southwest Region Rodeo at the S.A.L.E. Arena in Alpine, where Tarleton State was competing.
According to more recent reporting, the accident occurred during a performance involving Franco and her horse in the roping box. However, university officials have not released a detailed account of the events leading to her injuries.
Sul Ross State University later announced that a Tarleton State athlete had died from injuries sustained during Thursday night’s performance and identified Franco as the student-athlete involved.
The university expressed sympathy for Franco’s family, teammates and community while announcing that counselors would be available to support athletes during the remainder of the rodeo weekend.
Alejandra Franco Remembered by Tarleton State Rodeo
Franco’s death has deeply affected the Tarleton State Rodeo Team, where she was known as a competitive athlete and an important part of the university community.
Tarleton State head rodeo coach Mark Eakin described Franco as an outstanding competitor and a tremendous person, while remembering the impact she had beyond competition.
Eakin said Franco was more than a rodeo student-athlete and described her as a cherished member of the university who made people around her feel welcomed and valued.
Tarleton State President Dr. James Hurley also paid tribute to Franco, remembering her for her smile, leadership, kindness and the relationships she developed with people around her.
The Tarleton State Rodeo Team said Franco’s death had left a lasting impact on everyone who had the opportunity to know her.
A Young Athlete’s Life Cut Short
Franco was only 20 years old when her life came to an unexpected end.
She had been competing as part of Tarleton State’s rodeo program and was participating in breakaway roping, according to CBS Texas. The university community has described her not only as an athlete but as a person whose presence extended well beyond the arena.
Her death has brought together athletes from different schools who were competing at the Alpine event.
During Friday night’s rodeo, the community paused to honor Franco with a moment of silence, while purple ribbons were also distributed in her memory.
Alejandra Franco at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Alejandra Franco |
| Age | 20 |
| University | Tarleton State University |
| Role | Rodeo student-athlete |
| Event | Rodeo competition |
| Reported discipline | Breakaway roping |
| Location of incident | S.A.L.E. Arena, Alpine, Texas |
| Date of incident | September 24, 2026 |
| Cause of death | Injuries sustained during rodeo performance |
| Investigation/details | Full circumstances not publicly released |
Tarleton State and Sul Ross Offer Support
Following Franco’s death, Sul Ross State University said the remaining rodeo events would continue as scheduled while counselors were made available to athletes.
The decision allows the rodeo community to continue the competition while also creating space for athletes and others affected by Franco’s death to receive support.
Tarleton State has likewise directed grieving students toward its Student Counseling Services following the tragedy.
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association also expressed condolences to Franco’s family, teammates, Tarleton State University and the wider Lone Star Region rodeo community.
Purple Ribbons and Tributes Honor Franco
Sul Ross Rodeo Exes and Alumni arranged for purple ribbons to be available at the S.A.L.E. Arena during the remaining rodeo events.
Fans and participants were encouraged to wear the ribbons or purple clothing as a tribute to Franco and in support of those mourning her death.
The tribute has given competitors, coaches and spectators an opportunity to remember Franco while continuing the rodeo weekend.
No Further Details Released About the Accident
Although Franco’s death has been confirmed, officials have not publicly provided a complete account of the accident.
Authorities and university officials have not disclosed additional details about the injuries she suffered or precisely how the incident developed during the performance. Those details should therefore not be assumed or presented as confirmed.
What has been established is that Franco sustained injuries during the Thursday night performance at the Alpine arena and subsequently died from those injuries.
Remembering Alejandra Franco
For the Tarleton State community, Franco’s legacy extends beyond her accomplishments as a rodeo competitor.
Her coaches and university leaders have emphasized her kindness, leadership, personality and ability to make others feel welcome. Those qualities are now central to the memories being shared following her death.
Her teammates are left to continue their season while carrying the memory of someone who was an important part of their rodeo family.
The Alpine rodeo community has likewise come together to honor a young competitor whose life ended during an event she had dedicated herself to competing in.
Funeral and Memorial Information
Funeral and memorial arrangements for Alejandra Franco have not been publicly detailed in the reports reviewed.
Additional information may be released by her family or university representatives as arrangements are made.
For now, Tarleton State, Sul Ross and members of the rodeo community continue to remember Franco and support those closest to her.
A Lasting Memory Within the Rodeo Community
Alejandra Franco’s death has left a profound sense of loss among her teammates, coaches, friends and fellow competitors.
At just 20, she had already established herself within the Tarleton State rodeo community and had built relationships that reached far beyond the competition arena.
Her memory is now being carried by the people who knew her, the university she represented and the rodeo community that came together following her death.
May Alejandra Franco rest in peace, and may her family, friends, teammates and everyone affected by her passing find strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Disclaimer: This article is based on statements and reports available as of publication. Officials have confirmed that Alejandra Franco died from injuries sustained during a rodeo performance in Alpine, Texas, but a complete account of how the accident occurred has not been publicly released. Additional information may be added if confirmed by university officials or other authoritative sources.