The longtime UW Rodeo Coach George Howard, 59, has passed away after a shooting accident that occurred near Douglas over the weekend.

According to the Converse County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to an area southwest of Douglas for a report of a man with a gunshot wound on Nov. 24. Howard was taken to the Converse County Memorial Hospital before being taken to the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, where he stayed until his death on Nov. 26.

University of Wyoming President Laurie Nichols issued a statement about Howard’s passing.

“The UW community is saddened to learn of the death of Coach Howard. He touched the lives of many cowgirls and cowboys during his 20 years as the coach of our rodeo program, and we appreciate the leadership he provided for so many years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and many friends, including our rodeo student-athletes, past and present.”

The Converse County Sheriff's Department said the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.

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