40th at the Fieldhouse: Tickets, Sponsorships on Sale Now

LARAMIE -- Moe Radovich once called this place home.

So did Wyoming greats like Flynn Robinson, Charles Bradley, Kenneth Ollie and Bill Garnett.

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Six conference championship banners once hung from the old dusty rafters inside the still-standing War Memorial Fieldhouse. That equated to five trips to the NCAA Tournament and two others in the NIT from 1951-82.

To this day this passionate fanbase talks about the 1981 double-overtime victory over Danny Ainge and the 15th-ranked BYU Cougars.

That's the night many of you earned a well-deserved nickname: "Despicable."

"(BYU head coach Frank) Arnold became so disgusted with the behavior of Wyoming's fans, he termed the crowd "despicable." For years after Arnold left BYU, the Wyoming crowd would gleefully chant "We're despicable!" whenever BYU came to town," penned the Deseret News in 1995, adding the Cowboys faithful would heat up pennies before flicking them at the visiting bench, along with pelting the fellas from Provo with "rotten fruit, game programs and other materials."

There will be new memories made inside that beloved venue this October when the Cowboy Joe Club, for the first time in four decades, holds its largest annual fundraising event at 7,220 feet.

“War Memorial Fieldhouse holds a special place in the history of Wyoming Athletics, and I can't think of a better setting to celebrate 40 years of the Cowboy Joe Club Auction," UW Athletics Director Tom Burman said. "More importantly, the impact of this event has never been greater. I am asking UW fans and supporters from across the state and beyond to join us for what has the opportunity to be a truly historic night -- one that celebrates our past while making a significant investment in the future of our Cowboys and Cowgirls.”

Tickets and sponsorship packages are now on sale for the 40th Annual Cowboy Joe Club Auction, proudly presented by UniWyo Credit Union, set for Friday, Oct. 16, the night before the Cowboy football team hosts Northern Illinois.

The Auction plays a critical role in providing the scholarships, resources and opportunities that allow more than 400 Cowboy and Cowgirl student-athletes to compete, succeed and proudly represent the Brown and Gold.

"Quite honestly, it was really sentimental for me when Wyoming basketball vacated War Memorial Fieldhouse for its new digs back in February of 1982," longtime UW announcer Kevin McKinney penned back in 2014. "I loved the Fieldhouse. I loved its uniqueness and its overwhelming home-court advantage. It was the place in which I saw my very first collegiate basketball game (1959, Cowboys vs Michigan State). I enjoyed many great nights with another set of marvelous memories when thinking of that building.

Last year's Auction raised more than $642,000 in support of Wyoming student-athletes. With the State of Wyoming matching eligible private support, the impact of every dollar raised is multiplied, making this one of the most important nights of the year for Wyoming Athletics.

Guests will enjoy a gourmet buffet dinner, hosted cocktails and access to live and silent auctions featuring exclusive Wyoming Athletics items, unique experiences and one-of-a-kind opportunities. The evening will also feature interactive games, raffles and opportunities to connect with UW coaches, staff, student-athletes and fellow supporters from across Cowboy Country.

Individual tickets begin at $200, with a limited number available.

New for 2026, sponsors and VIP guests will receive exclusive access to a special cocktail and early check-in hour before general admission doors open. Sponsorship packages begin at $3,500 and provide organizations and individuals with the opportunity to play an even greater role in the success of the event.

The 40th Annual Cowboy Joe Club Auction is more than a celebration. It is an opportunity to come together and directly invest in the young men and women who represent the University of Wyoming.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are limited, and supporters are encouraged to secure their spot early.

To purchase tickets or a sponsorship package, click here.

To donate an auction item or learn more about additional ways to get involved, contact the Cowboy Joe Club at 307-766-6242.

* A UW press release contributed to this article

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