For most kids growing up in The Bronx in New York City, the sport of rodeo is a million miles away, but Bobby DelVecchio was not most kids.
Born March 20, 1957, DelVecchio saw his first rodeo at age 14 in Cowtown, New Jersey, and knew he wanted to make it his way of life. He practiced rodeoing on his fire escape, wearing chaps and using a bull rope. He filled his PRCA permit at the age of 15 and got his PRCA card in 1979 and became known for his flamboyant shirts.
DelVecchio competed at every major rodeo across the U.S. and Canada in a career that spanned from 1971 to 1991. He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in bull riding six times from 1980-1985, ultimately earning the 1981-82 PRCA reserve world championship and the 1983 PRCA Texas Circuit Championship.
DelVecchio was awarded the 1983 Presidential Rodeo Award and the 1981 Guy Weadick Memorial Award in Calgary. A licensed pilot and accomplished bull breeder, he was inducted into the Professional Bull Riders’ Ring of Honor in 2006.
