Brett Hoffman 
Bob Doty will retire after next month's College National Finals
Longtime Tarleton State coach stepping down
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
After 29 years of calling plays from behind the college rodeo chutes, Tarleton State coach Bob Doty is retiring.
Doty won men's and women's National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association titles in 2005 at Tarleton State and the 1986 men's national title at Western Texas College.
But coaching is extremely taxing, especially in the NIRA's tough Southwest Region.
"I just didn't think that I could keep putting in the hours that it takes to have a great all-around rodeo program," said Doty, who will continue teaching agriculture classes at Tarleton. "I just didn't want to quit putting out the full effort, but then retire five years later."
Doty, who has coached 14 seasons at Tarleton State after taking over in 1994, will take a women's team to next month's College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. To qualify, a team must finish first or second in a regional title race after 10 regular-season shows. Tarleton finished second.
Doty, 56, led Western Texas for 15 seasons from 1979 to 1994 and has helped shape the career of many competitors, including 1988 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world all-around champion Dave Appleton, 1997 Professional Bull Riders world champion Michael Gaffney and saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter, who is on pace to qualify for his third National Finals.
Doty said it's rewarding to watch his athletes grow.
"I've seen a lot of students throughout the years struggle with school and their lives and then you see them 10 years later and they're successful with rodeo, their family or they may be out making a difference by coaching Little League," Doty said. "Sometimes, you see them go on the wild side for a while, but then you see them mature."
Sweet 15
As the Professional Bull Riders celebrates its 15th season, the association is offering some seats for $15 during the first weekend of the 2008 World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1-2.
"This year, we're trying to create value," said PBR chief executive officer Randy Bernard. "If we can create a solid value for our fan, and create a loyal passionate fan that will be with us for many years, then that's what we're going to try to do during this recession."
For more information, call 866-727-7469 or visit www.pbrnow.com.
Top ropers coming
Former world champion tie-down roper Cody Ohl and nine-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Stran Smith are among four world-class calf ropers who are scheduled to compete in the featured matches on May 24 in the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping at the Windy Ryon Arena in north Fort Worth. The 35th edition is scheduled for May 23-25. For more information, visit www.windyryon.com.
Briefly
Defending world all-around champion Trevor Brazile of Decatur won the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days all-around title after earning $8,431. Brazile is ranked third in the world all-around standings with $66,680, $6,024 behind leader Josh Peek.
PBR world-title race leader Guilherme Marchi won last weekend's PBR Built Ford Tough Series tour stop ($27,320) in Des Moines, Iowa. He's scheduled to compete in San Antonio on May 17 and in Dallas on June 21-22.
The North Texas High School Rodeo Association is scheduled to conclude its 2007-2008 regular season this weekend.
Mineral Wells' traditional PRCA rodeo is scheduled to run Wednesday through Saturday.
