ProRodeo Sports News - August 2, 2019

CONTRACT PERSONNEL Tommy Lucia Specialty Act of the Year winner gained recognition outside rodeo BY AMBER BAILLIE T ommy Lucia fromWeatherford, Texas, was a Wrangler NFR Barrelman (1973), three-time Wrangler NFR Specialty Act (1997, 1999 and 2004) and three-time PRCA Specialty Act of the Year (2003-05). For more than 50 years he worked as a barrelman and specialty act, entertaining at rodeos across the U.S. In 2010, he was inducted into the

Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and in 2016 he was inducted into the National Cowboy Rodeo Hall of Fame. On Aug. 3, Lucia will be inducted posthumously into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame; His son Anthony is a ProRodeo announcer, trick rider and team roper. Anthony said his dad was an amazing entertainer and inspired him to pursue a career in rodeo. “My dad always said it wasn’t him getting the applause but his animals,” Anthony said. “He was a very humble man. He wanted people at the rodeo to forget about their worries and be entertained.” Lucia developed pantomime acts, a he passed away June 1, 2016, on his 75th birthday.

QUICK FACTS • Began his

career at age 15, riding bareback horses and bulls • Became PRCA member in 1966 • Became a full- time bullfighter at age 20 • He was an extra and the bullfighter in “Junior Bonner” (1972) and “The Great American Cowboy” (1973)

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Major League Baseball games and commercials. Lucia’s favorite rodeo, and the last one he performed at, was the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo. It was the first rodeo Lucia worked as a barrelman and where he found his true calling as an entertainer. He performed at the rodeo more than 20 times. Lucia retired in 2014 when his health began to decline. “He was creative, revolutionary, kind and an utmost professional,” Anthony said. “His ultimate goal was to make people smile.” Anthony said he became emotional when he found out his dad would join the 2019 class. “Not only does this mean the world to me but also to my family – that the selection committee wanted to recognize my dad for his contributions,” he said. “My dad dedicated his life to bringing joy in the arena and providing for his family. I know it would mean the world to my dad to be recognized by his peers and legends who have contributed so much to ProRodeo. It’s neat and special that his legacy will be forever enshrined in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame family. My dad would be smiling ear to ear … and I know he is right now.”

matador act with “bull” dogs and many others to help fill the gaps between rodeo events. Lucia’s most popular characters included Glory, his swayback horse, and Whiplash, a monkey in cowboy attire who rode a border collie into the arena to herd sheep. Whiplash was featured in Taco John’s and Dairy Queen commercials and appeared on “Good Morning America,” ESPN, and “The Today Show,” and became a viral hit on YouTube. “My dad’s goal was to bring out the best in every animal,” Anthony said. “He felt like his calling fromGod was to use his gift of training animals to bring joy to people in the arena.” Lucia’s performances outside of rodeo included NBA playoff games, • Worked the Texas Circuit Finals four times • Texas Circuit Act of the Year four times

ProRodeo Sports News 8/2/2019

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