Climbing for the Ones We Lost
The NSUJL rodeo in Hazleton brings the brotherhood together to remember who we've lost. Every year, the 14th annual Climbing ceremony honors our fallen - families hanging lanterns, each one carrying a name, a story, a life cut short.
Katie Richardson from NSUJL talked about the memorial they're building. Fourteen feet of twisted steel designed by Karl Saar, representing the chaos linemen face every day and how they bring order to it. This memorial will help people understand what's sacrificed to keep the lights on. Every name on those lanterns belonged to someone's dad, someone's mom, someone's kid. They were part of the brotherhood too.
Rodeo Time - Where Brotherhood Meets Competition
Saturday's rodeo was absolutely packed with crews from all over the country. 14th year running and it keeps getting bigger because people understand what this event is really about. The Sturgeon Electric California/IBEW Local 47 team rolled in ready to work, and man, did they ever deliver.
Our crew straight up dominated:
🥇 1st Place - Overall Team
🥇 1st Place - Best Journey Lineman - Enoc Verdin showing everyone how it's done
🥇 1st Place - Pole Climb
🥇 1st Place - Hurtman
🥈 2nd Place - Mystery Event 2
During the event, competitors did work that would make most folks' hands shake. But here's what matters - every dollar raised goes straight to linemen and their families when life hits them hard. Medical bills, family emergencies, whatever comes up. That's what NSUJL is about. Making sure nobody faces tough times alone.
Why This Matters
Anyone who's worked high voltage knows this job will humble you fast if you're not careful. Events like this remind the brotherhood that they're part of something bigger - doesn't matter if you're in California or Pennsylvania, linemen watch each other's backs.
The awards ceremony capped off a weekend the competitors won't forget. But showing up and supporting each other? That's what makes everyone winners.
High Voltage Industries understands - what linemen do goes beyond work, it's who they are. Every piece of gear made is built for the people who keep the lights on when everyone else is asleep. The goal is to make sure the world sees linemen and all high voltage workers for what they really are: the backbone holding everything together.
This brand is about lifting up a brotherhood that never asks for credit, even though they've earned every bit of it.
To the Sturgeon Electric California / IBEW Local 47 crew - you killed it at the rodeo. What you showed out there was pure skill and pride in the trade. You're setting the bar, and we're proud to sponsor you.
Wondering about that shirt the team was wearing at the 2025 NSUJL Rodeo?
We thought you might be. It’s exclusively available here on our site.
Three California companies. One hard hitting collab.
High Voltage Industries, Benchmark FR, and Sturgeon Electric California linked up on this limited edition collab design for the 2025 Lineman's Rodeo Season.
⚡ We launched it the day before the PG&E rodeo
⚡ It SOLD OUT in ONE DAY
⚡ And the SECOND restock? Already flying on preorder.
100% American-made. Exclusive to the trade. Made on a Bayside, USA-made tee. Available for a limited time.
Gear up before it’s gone (again). When we say limited—we mean it.
The answer to "where'd you get your shirt?" is right here.
➡️Grab yours now before the restock disappears
Here's to the Ones Who Keep It Hot
To every high voltage worker and lineman out there— whether you’re climbing poles, out in the switchyard, swinging off helicopters, working underground, or managing the grid —you inspire everything we do. And whether you’re repping one of our lineman hats on your day off, pulling on a high voltage shirt before heading out, or flipping one of our drag up challenge coins, know this: you’re part of something bigger.
