Schiffner joins the broadcast booth

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Typically, when a legend from any sport puts on a headset for the first time in the broadcasting booth, it marks the end of their historic career.
Scott Schiffner couldn’t be clearer about his stance as the greatest bull rider in Canadian history.
“My career is definitely not over. This was just an opportunity to open some doors and broaden my horizons, as they say,” said Schiffner.
Schiffner was on tap to be one of the 30 bull riders featured in the inaugural Professional Bull Riders Canada Monster Energy Tour stop in Calgary March 24 at the Nutrien Western Event Centre in Calgary.
The Tour kicked off for the first time in Calgary and was supposed to feature one of their greatest homegrown products, but opportunity came calling on the 37-year-old bull-riding king.
“A good friend of mine, Jason Davidson of 3D Bull Riding Inc. came calling,” said Schiffner. “They were the ones hosting the event and asked me if I wanted to do some TV stuff for them.”
Schiffner wasn’t the only local product in the rodeo ring. One of Canada’s greatest bullfighters, Ty Prescott, was one of the three bullfighters keeping the athletes – human and bovine – safe at all times.
Withdrawing from the event last minute, Schiffner traded in his ropes and spurs for a headset and pre-show meetings.
Schiffner played the role of Tony Romo, Tim McCarver and Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier; athletes who left the playing field for the cushy job of colour commentary.
“I was definitely more nervous speaking on camera than I ever have been jumping on a bull,” said Schiffner, the 2013 PBR Canadian Finals Champion. “I’ve been doing bulls all my life. This is new to me and it felt a little different to be watching them compete from up here.”
Except that Schiffner still plans to ride bulls for a few more years.
“It’s not secret that my years are slowly coming to an end,” said the 17-year vet Schiffner. “I thought it went pretty good. There is certainly a lot of room for improvement.”
Schiffner offered his years of expertise, as he hopped on the mic alongside rodeo play-by-play icon Mark Lee. Together, the two watched and commented on the De Winton product Brock Radford’s ride of 84.5 in the opening round and 87.5 ride in the short go to pocket $5,469.75. The two outstanding rides also earned him 500 points in the Canadian PBR standings and 120 points in the PBR world standings.
The new Monster Energy Tour will make its way across Canada this summer. Schiffner said that he will rejoin the tour in parts, for riding and possibly even another TV hit.
But if rodeo fans want further proof that Schiffner will not be hanging up his boots anytime soon, they can head down to Medicine Hat April 6-8 for the Broncs and Honky Tonks Spring Indoor Rodeo. There, Schiffner will ride bulls for the first time this season in his 18th year in the business.