Carlos Washington '76
Carlos Washington moved to Sidney at age nine, and graduated in 1976 from Sidney High School, having made his mark as a stand-out in both sports and music - two fields he would pursue with passion throughout his life. Having been the drum major of the high school band, he continued on in that capacity for Tuskegee University in Alabama, an HBCU (Historical Black Colleges and Universities), performing for audiences as large as 50,000.
Carlos graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (with honors) from Tuskegee, where he ran track, as he had in high school. After college Carlos moved to Texas, then to Colorado, where he was a track and football coach and mentor for students in several schools in the Denver area. Students, parents, teachers and fellow coaches all consider him an inspiration and a leader with an affinity for helping young people, leaving an indelible mark on those whose lives he touched.
In the field of music, Carlos Washington and his band, Steel Horse, became one of the most popular regional country music groups, and Carlos became a "singing cowboy", performing in clubs and doing benefits and charity fundraisers in the Denver area. He began his singing career as a way to earn entry money for his other great passion-rodeo. As a member of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Bill Pickett Rodeo Association, Carlos won many awards, including national championships. In addition to riding in rodeos, he also gained renown for his vocal performances of the national anthem there. Even Terry Bradshaw, the NFL legend, once remarked after Carlos performed on national television, "Very few singers can hold a candle to him."
A true renaissance man, Carlos also owns his own company -- UTL Power Solutions, LLC, a dry utility management engineering consulting firm.
From singing to cow-punching to coaching and mentoring, Carlos Washington has left an indelible boot print over a wide area out West, touching the lives of legions of young people while entertaining crowds with his music and rodeo skills. His personal trophy room glitters with awards for his work with academics, sports, charitable groups and civic organizations. Col. Mark V. Troestel, Chief of the Colorado State Police (retired) has said, "Carlos is a man everybody admired and he is known as a man of outstanding character and integrity."
Carlos married his wife, Merinda, (also a rodeo performer) in 2006 and settled on their ranch in Colorado, where they raise Angus cattle. They both have won many sanctioned rodeo events, including the Rocky Mountain Challenge in 2012, and a national championship belt for Carlos.