The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo inducted three outstanding volunteers into its Hall of Fame: Russell K. Bading, Jack D. Ballard, and Elaine Van De Walle Thompson. Russell Bading began volunteering in 1978 and held several leadership roles over 37 years, including Livestock Committee Chairman. Jack Ballard began volunteering in the 1980s and chaired multiple committees, helping build new facilities. Elaine Thompson has been actively involved since 1995, serving as the organization's first female president from 2004-2006.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kimberly Hinze
210-225-0612 or 210-765-0633 (cell)
kim@sarodeo.com
San Antonio StockShow &Rodeo Inducted ThreeOutstandingVolunteersInto TheHallofFame
January8, 2015 - TheSanAntonio Livestock Exposition(S.A.L.E.) is pleasedto announcethe2015SanAntonio
StockShow & RodeoHallof Fameinductees –RussellK. Bading,JackD. Ballard,& ElaineVan DeWalle
Thompson. Thesethree outstandingvolunteersarefirst class leaderswhosecontributionstothe organization’s
missionareexceptional. Theywereacknowledgedfortheirdedicationandcommitmentinanhonorary ceremony
whichwasheldon Thursday,January8th.
Russell K.Bading
Mr. Bading beganhisrelationshipwithS.A.L.E. in 1978,whenhe becameaLifeMember. Heworkedwith several
committeesfrom 1980-1998.Bading’ssuccessesleadhim tohisrole as Livestock Committee Chairman,wherehe
remaineduntil2005,whenhebecametheAssistant VicePresident. As Livestock Chairman,Badingheadedthirteen
sub-committees.In2013,Badingearnedthe title of LifetimeAssistant Vice President. Mr.Bading continuesto
contributebyworkingwith the OperationsCommitteewherehehelpssecuredonatedequipmentforthe event.
JackDavid Ballard
In the early 1980’sMr.Ballardbecameanofficialvolunteer withthe San Antonio Stock ShowandRodeo. In 1983,he
becameaLifetimeMemberandtooka leadershiproleasChairmanofthe Commercial ExhibitsCommittee.Through
his guidance,heincreased thenumberofqualityexhibitorsto the show,and was knownfor creatingthefamily
atmospherewiththe hundredsof exhibitors through hispersonalinteractions.Ballardwasnamedchairmanofthe
ExhibitCommitteein the early1990’sandwas appointedto the NominatingCommittee whichhe chairedfrom 1994-
1996.In 2000,he became Chairman ofFrontierClub.Whileworkingwiththe FrontierClub, Ballardusedmembership
fees to provide assistanceto both the JuniorLivestockAuction andthe San Antonio Livestock ExpositionScholarship
Fund.Oneof Mr.Ballard’smostsignificantcontributionswasassistingin buildingthe Horse Barns,ExpoHall and
the S.A.L.E.offices.
ElaineVan De WalleThompson
Ms. Thompsonhasplayedanactive rolewith the San Antonio Stock Show& Rodeothrough her roles with various
committees.ElainebecameaLifeMemberin1995,a directorin1996andserved on the ExecutiveCommitteefrom
2000to 2014. From 2004-2006Elaineservedas president.Thompsonisoneof three womenthathave served as
Presidentof the SanAntonio StockShowand Rodeo. She continuedherinvolvementandserved as Chairmanofthe
MembershipCommitteefrom 2011to2014.
Pleasejointhe S.A.L.E. familyincommendingthesethreeoutstanding examplesofSALE’s CoreValues – Integrity,
CaringandExcellence.Theirfeatureswillbe hung amongstmanydistinguishedindividualsonthewallsof the San

2. Antonio Stock Show& RodeoHallof Fame.TheHallofFameisopen duringthe 66th annualSanAntonio Stock
Show& Rodeo,February12- March1,2015.
About San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo:
Established in 1950, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo (S.A.L.E.) has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious
single events in the city, with over one million visitors entering the grounds each year. The success of S.A.L.E. is attributed to
over 6,000 volunteers that give countless hours to the organization. With community, donor and volunteer support, the
organization has donated more than $147.9 million to the youth of Texas through scholarships, grants, endowments, auctions, a
calf scramble program and show premiums.
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