It doesn’t take someone with a master’s degree to know the dangers involved in bullfighting.Age: 37
Born: Sept. 25, 1972
Hometown: Revere, Pa.
It doesn’t take someone with a master’s degree to know the dangers involved in bullfighting.
Jason Magditch holds such a degree, and he recognizes all that is involved in the sport. Moreover, he carries his bullfighting skills to school with him every day.
How? Magditch earned a master’s degree in education from Wilkes University and is now a school administrator when he’s not serving as a cowboy lifesaver. In his career, he’s been putting his body in position to rescue bull riders for 10 years and he’s been honored through his development as a competitor.
This season, Magditch has showed his skills at numerous events, but on Sept. 5-6, 2008, he and partner Andy Burelle won the event in Fort Worth, Texas.
Primarily, he’s qualified for the freestyle bullfights in Tulsa and Ada, Okla., and has been fighting bulls in the Professional Bull Riders association for each of the last five years. A longtime educator and wrestling coach who has spent his life in athletics, he jumped into the bull pen with both feet.
“I went to a show a few years prior to starting and watched what they did,” Magditch said. “I talked to some of the bullfighters, then later, I visited with Rob Smets. I went to one of his schools and just fell in love with it.”
He likens freestyle bullfighting to a high-risk game of tag with the animal.
“I like that part of it because it challenges me,” he said. “But with cowboy protection, now that I’m older, I’m liking that. Taking this for the cowboy and being the cowboy lifesaver.”
And the competition of the Professional Bullfighters Tour is a perfect fit for him.
“If you’re in cowboy protection, this is where you want to be,” Magditch said. “It lets you showcase yourself, the great timing and the great athletic ability and working with someone. I love it for allowing us to go out and showcase the sport.”
Click HERE to visit Jason's Web site.