The Association of Collegiate Anglers and the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series are proud to announce their new partnership with Bass Pro Shops. Under the agreement, Bass Pros Shops will become the title sponsor of the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, as well as the title sponsor of the Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley event and the prestigious School of the Year program.
Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 by avid young angler Johnny Morris on eight-square-feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. In 2017, Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company with 200 retail and marine centers and a commitment to inspire everyone to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors.
“Bass Pro Shops founder and conservationist Johnny Morris is passionate about introducing new audiences to the sport of fishing,” said Christine Wamsley, Director of Sponsorships for Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. “We’re excited to contribute to the rising popularity of collegiate fishing as part of our broader efforts to connect more people to nature.”
With the series title sponsorship, Bass Pro Shops will also take over as the title sponsor of the most sought-after title in college fishing, the School of the Year program. As part of the School of the Year program, Bass Pro Shops and the ACA will continue to support a growing number of sanctioned school-run events across the nation this season, as well as major events on the national level.
In addition, Bass Pro Shops will also continue the angler favorite discount card which will be available to collegiate anglers who fish the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series in 2019. More information can be found on the Discount and Incentives page.
The 2019 Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series consists of four nationally televised tournaments , including the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, which are scheduled for the following dates:
Texas Lunker Challenge presented by Mossy Oak Elements – Sam Rayburn Reservoir – February 3, 2019
Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley – Kentucky Lake – March 9-10, 2019
BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops – Pickwick Lake – May 23-24, 2019
AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open – Lake Dardanelle – October 26-27, 2019
For more information about the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, please visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com.
About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”
About the ACA
The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA), a division of CarecoTV, is a tournament organization created to facilitate growth, development, and structure within competitive collegiate bass fishing. The ACA created the original BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, fourteen seasons ago, which is now the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, and still the longest running collegiate bass fishing series in existence. The ACA provides support to dozens of school operated regional events nationwide and owns the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, Bass Pro Shops School of Year Program, and associated assets. The ACA also provides the largest amount of televised coverage of any collegiate fishing series with dedicated programming on several television networks ranging from Discovery Channel, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Pursuit Channel, World Fishing Network, as well as other regional and national networks. For more information on the ACA or the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, visit www.CollegiateBassChampionship.com. For more information on Bass Pro Shops, visit www.BassPro.com.
By: Amanda Gutierrez
