Carrying on the family business happens every day in every place in every type of job.Age: 26
Born: June 7, 1983
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Carrying on the family business happens every day in every place in every type of job.
Whether it’s on the ranch or in the boardroom, heritage and family ties mean a lot. For Lance McIlvain, the family business is in the rodeo arena on or about bulls.
“My dad is Frank McIlvain, a professional bullfighter and barrelman at the Mesquite Resistol Arena for 46 years,” Lance said.
His brothers, Chris and Frank Jr., have fought bulls, and two brothers, Terry and Glen, rode bulls professionally. Glen qualified for the National Finals Rodeo four times, winning the average championship in 1984. Terry has appeared in the movies, too: “Pure Country” and “Platoon.”
“I’ve probably been doing this about nine or 10 years, and I’ve had my pro card for six years,” Lance said. “It ain’t a matter if you’re going to be around bulls in my family, it’s what you’re going to do. A bull rider gets one bull a night; I get 10 or 20 a night. I like mine better.”
In 2003, Lance McIlvain won the bullfights that were part of the NFR Bucking Stock Sale and has been elected to work the Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo twice. He’s also won Daisy Protection Bullfight Tour matches in New Braumfels, Texas; Denton, Texas; and Burton, Ohio, where he was named the MVP.
In fact, he was just named the MVP at the Colby Yates Challenge that took place Aug. 15-16, 2008, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The MVP honor is voted on by all the contestants in the field.
Like the family before him, he realizes there’s something special in his career path.
“It’s just a way of life,” he said. “I love rodeo, and I love fighting bulls and the feeling you get from making a good save. You’re only in the arena for about two hours a weekend, so it’s about the people you meet and the family you establish.”