Dessel's 'bullfighting' career barrels into future

SPENCER - The toughest sport on dirt will make a stop at the Clay County Regional Events Center when the Mauer/DemCo Touring Pro PBR visits Spencer on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21. This year's show will feature a talented barrel man originally from Cherokee.

Cherokee native Allan Dessel in his "other" career [Click to enlarge]

Allan Dessel was born and raised in the Cherokee area. Not only was his father a bullfighter for 10 years, but Allan also attended many bullfighting events throughout the years. Allan always said when he grew up he wanted to be a bull fighter just like his dad. Allan began fighting bulls at age 15. For the last three years, he has been a barrel man for several PBR and rodeo events across the Midwest.

Dessel, the son of Kevin and Hallie Dessel of Cherokee, estimates he has traveled 20,000+ miles over the past three years while performing in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

Dessel is a 2007 graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake and currently resides in Soper, Oklahoma and teaches physics and math.

Allan Dessel (left) helps out this bull rider. [Click to enlarge]

He recalls one of his first bullfighting events. "I was 4 years old and was sitting next to my dad at the Cherokee PRCA Rodeo. I asked my dad when I would be old enough to fight bulls. Several years later, I was invited back to my hometown for my first Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo. When I came out into ring, the announcer told the crowd my story about sitting in those very bleachers asking my dad that question. I was honored to be performing in Cherokee where my dream started."

The main responsibilities of a barrel man are to provide comic relief for the fans attending bull riding and rodeo events. If a bull isn't cooperating or a cowboy is having a rough time, the barrel man will come out and keep the show entertaining. A barrel man also must fill the time between rides while the judges are tallying scores.

Maurer/DemCo Touring Pro PBR will be held at the Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21. The touring pros of PBR will begin bucking bulls at 7:30 pm each night, with doors opening at 6:30pm.

Tickets are on sale now. Reserved tickets are $26.50, $19.50, and $15.00, based on seat location. Tickets can be purchased at the Events Center Ticket Office (Mon-Fri, 9 am to 4 pm), online at www.ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000, or any Ticketmaster outlet. PBR fans can visit PBR's website at www.pbrnow.com for more information.