Distinguished Alumni: John Harrison carries on family rodeo legacy through national success

DURANT, Okla. - From his roots in southeastern Oklahoma to the national rodeo stage, John Harrison has built a career entertaining audiences across the country while carrying on a family legacy deeply connected to the sport of rodeo.

A native of Soper, Oklahoma, Harrison grew up surrounded by rodeo tradition. He is the grandson of legendary world champion bull rider Freckles Brown, whose influence helped shape the family's place in rodeo history. Harrison has since established his own reputation as one of the sport's most recognizable entertainers.

A full-time cowboy and nationally recognized rodeo entertainer, Harrison has earned 10 selections as a barrelman for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and has performed as the NFR opening act three times. His numerous honors include nine Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Comedy Act of the Year awards, seven Coors Man in the Can Awards, three Clown of the Year titles and three Triple Crown of Rodeo championships. He also made rodeo history as the first individual to win the Triple Crown of Rodeo and earn an NFR selection in the same year.

In 2025, Harrison was named the official barrelman for RodeoHouston, one of the most prominent events in professional rodeo. The role further demonstrated his standing among the industry's leading entertainers and his ability to connect with audiences through humor, personality and a deep understanding of rodeo culture.

Harrison attended Southeastern in the in the 1990s and although he did not graduate, he has maintained a connection to the university and remains proud to be associated with Southeastern. His ties to the university extend through his family, including his mother, Donna, a Southeastern graduate, and his wife, Carla, who has served as an auctioneer for fundraising events for the university.

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