Flint Rasmussen Announced as 2024 Northern commencement speaker

Press release

A legendary entertainer and rodeo clown - and former Havre teacher - is returning to Havre to present the commencement address at Montana State University-Northern's graduation ceremonies May 4.

Rasmussen was born in Havre and raised in Choteau, where he was an All-State football player and track star at Choteau High School.

He pursued higher education at Western Montana College, now University of Montana Western, where he completed a double major in history and math. During his college years, he gained early experience as a sports announcer for the Western Bulldogs and worked as a barrel clown in western Montana rodeos to help pay for college.

Following his graduation, Rasmussen returned to Havre, where he taught math and history at Havre High School, coached football and track, and acted as the public address announcer for home basketball games at Northern. However, his passion for entertainment eventually led him to pursue a full-time career as a rodeo clown, a decision that proved to be immensely successful.

Rasmussen's career in entertainment reached new heights when he became the exclusive arena entertainer for the Professional Bull Riders in 2006, a role he held until his retirement in the summer of 2023. Throughout his career, Rasmussen has hosted numerous stage, TV and radio shows, including the popular "According to Flint" podcast.

Before signing exclusively with Professional Bull Riders, he was Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year for eight straight years, was the Coors Man in the Can seven times and was inducted into the Pendleton Round-Up Hall of Fame in 2011, 13 years after he was a barrel clown in the Pendleton Round-Up in Pendleton, Oregon.

Rasmussen serves as the senior vice president of fan engagement for the PBR, where he continues to make significant contributions to the Western sports world. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Rasmussen said, he takes pride in his role as a father to Shelby and Paige, both graduates of Montana State University and College Rodeo National Champions for the Bobcats.

Rasmussen's inspiring journey from a small town in Montana to the pinnacle of the entertainment industry makes him an ideal choice to impart wisdom and encouragement to the graduating class of 2024.

The Northern Commencement Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. in the Armory Gymnasium.