By Jeff Bugher
9/6/2024
Joe Leimkuhler lives in Louisiana, but Pokes Spirit is deeply rooted in Wyoming. Joe graduated in 1987 from Wyoming with a degree in petroleum engineering. Since graduation, he’s worked in the deep-water oil fields of the Gulf of Mexico. For over thirty years, Joe has been a proud season ticket holder and has been bringing Mardi Gras beads to Wyoming games ever since.
"I've had season tickets since 1990," Joe recalls. "I make it to about two home games a year, and the tickets I can't use, I donate to Big Brothers and Sisters. I figure it's a great way to give back."
Joe's unique tradition of bringing Mardi Gras to Laramie began as a clever solution to tailgating challenges. "I was flying up from Louisiana, and a friend asked, 'How are we gonna get food?' I had an idea—I'd bring beads and trade them for burgers and beers. It worked like a charm!" Now affectionately known as 'Bead Man,' Joe has turned his bead-trading tradition into a beloved game-day fixture. "I used to pack a suitcase full of beads, but now I ship them ahead of time. It's easier than trying to explain a suitcase full of gold beads to TSA!"
At every game, Joe can be seen handing out metallic gold Mardi Gras beads, which have become a symbol of fun and Wyoming pride for those lucky enough to snag a pair. "People always think they have to do something crazy for beads, but all I ask is a good Wyoming cheer, or to hear them sing 'Cowboy Joe.' I don't just give them out—I make people earn them."
Joe also serves on the Advisory Board for the Petroleum Engineering Department and the Dean's Council for the College of Engineering at UW, which brings him back to campus for meetings, often coinciding with home games.
Joe’s journey to becoming the "Biggest Poke Fan in Dixie" began with a different kind of passion—forestry. "I originally wanted to study forestry at the University of Montana," he explained. After working as a mud engineer in the oil fields of Wyoming, Joe found himself pursuing a master's degree in petroleum engineering at UW, thanks to the encouragement of Dr. Ebers. He moved to Louisiana in 1987 to work for Shell. "In 1987, I went from working 7,220 feet above sea level to 7,200 feet below sea level."
In 2022, Joe was honored as a Distinguished Alumni and rode in the homecoming parade, tossing beads along the way, transforming the streets of Laramie into a Mardi Gras celebration. "My two kids and I would go to games at War Memorial Stadium when they were little. They were more interested in flying paper airplanes off the top row, but that’s where my love for Wyoming football really took off."
With the home opener coming up, Joe is optimistic about the Cowboys' prospects under Coach Sawvel. "I think the team’s got a great shot this year. I'm excited to see how Evan Svoboda plays after how well he did against Texas last year. We could be in for a special season if he can pick up where he left off."
For basketball, Joe is equally enthusiastic about new head coach Sundance Wicks. "He's gonna be the Joe Glenn of basketball. I think he's going to get people excited, and I can't wait to see what he does for the program."
Once a Poke fan, always a Poke fan. "I may live in Louisiana, but I gotta be the biggest Poke fan in Dixie!"
Catch Joe Leimkuhler at the next Wyoming Cowboys home game, and don’t forget to earn those beads!
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