Kade Russow is in his second year as the Director of Development for Donor Relations in 2024-25. In his current role, Russow plays a major role in executing CJC events such as the annual Cowboy Joe Club Auction, while also maintaining direct oversight of the department’s Steer-A-Year program.
In 2024, Russow helped lead the Cowboy Joe Club to yet another historic auction result, as the event brought in more than $600,000 and 600 attendees. With State of Wyoming matching dollars, the 2024 Cowboy Joe Club Auction raised nearly 1.2 million dollars for the 400+ student-athletes of Wyoming Athletics. His efforts also helped secure one of the auction’s highest-ever results in procured donation items, with more than 250 silent auction items, and 30 live auction items.
Russow also directs the Steer-A-Year program, one of the nation’s most innovative giving programs which connects the Wyoming agricultural community with Wyoming Athletics. In FY2024, the Steer-A-Year program accounted for more than $300,000 in revenue generated. Russow also manages a portfolio of donors, and has secured multiple major gift commitments as part of the all-new 7220 Society in FY2024.
Prior to joining the Cowboy Joe Club, Russow was the Director of Rodeo Operations and Marketing for the University of Wyoming Rodeo team from 2022-23. Russow executed and organized annual fundraising for the University of Wyoming Rodeo Team of over $300,000 in 2023, while coordinating and serving as the main liaison for academic excellence for the UW Rodeo team, which included an overall 3.0 team GPA. He also managed animal care and welfare for over 200 head of UW Rodeo practice livestock, managed UW Rodeo Social Media Accounts, organized team travel, and aided in the recruitment process for UW Rodeo prospective athletes. During Russow’s tenure, UW Rodeo Women’s team placed 3rd nationally at the 2023 College National Finals Rodeo.
Before joining the UW Rodeo Team, Russow worked as an Admissions Representative for the University of Wyoming Admissions Office from 2020-2022. Russow oversaw seven out of state territories, as well as recruiting high school seniors from the western part of the State of Wyoming.
During his undergraduate career at the University of Wyoming, Russow spent four years as Property Assistant for Wyoming Sports Properties, a property of Learfield. Russow assisted the full-time staff in numerous day-to-day operations, including organizing and helping to manage radio broadcasts for the Cowboy Sports Network, and assisting in the development and fulfillment of radio advertisements on behalf of Learfield, Wyoming Sports Properties, and its partners. Russow also assisted in fulfillment operations, as well as coordinating hospitality events for Wyoming Athletics’ multimedia rights holder. Â
Born and raised in Brookings, South Dakota, Russow moved to Laramie in 2014, and is a 2016 graduate of Laramie High School. Russow graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Wyoming in 2020.
