Val grew up working with his father in rodeo production and began his announcing career in 1956 with Vern Oyler’s “miniature rodeo” in Garland and went on to announce The Little Buckaroo Rodeo throughout Idaho and Utah.  For over 40 years he announced at all levels of rodeo in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada.

He was a monument to generations of youth as he felt rodeo was one of the few sports where the individual could compete on his own against the world.

His booming voice was a legend.  He was master of the “mic” for rodeos, horse shows, chariot races, horse pulling contests, ball games, fashion shows, talent show, auctions and western style competitive games, who promoted the western lifestyle from his signature neck scarf to his humble cowboy ways.