Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition to feature the nation’s top college bass anglers
The Outdoor Channel (TOC) has announced
the addition of Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition to
the network’s fall schedule in 2007.
Set to participate are collegiate angler team members from:
– The University of Illinois
– The University or Oregon
– Penn State University
– Kansas State University
– Texas A&M,
– Louisville
– Wisconsin
– Purdue
– Iowa
– Oklahoma
– Kentucky
– Alabama
Each team will send one angler to represent their squad in
Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition.
Based upon the success of the pro angler version of Ultimate
Match Fishing (UMF), one of TOC’s most popular offerings,
the collegiate version will feature anglers competing
head-to-head in the same boat in a single elimination,
bracketed tournament series. The made-for-television event,
produced in high definition video, will be an original TOC
production set debut in the 4th quarter of 2007, and will be
hosted by veteran professional angler and host of TOC’s
Ultimate Match Fishing, Joe Thomas.
In a notable departure from other tournaments, the UMFC
event will place two anglers in the same boat, with each
getting the front of the boat for half of the fishing day.
The back-of-the-boat angler will be prohibited from moving
to or fishing in the front half of the boat and vice versa
for the angler who has the bow. Anglers will switch
positions every 90 minutes over four periods. All other
standard tournament rules will apply and be enforced by UMF
Referee Mark Randolph.
According to veteran pro angler and Collegiate UMF host Joe
Thomas, “In my opinion, the explosive growth in competitive
bass fishing among college teams is one of the most exciting
developments in angling today. Our goal is to show just how
intense and exciting this competition is becoming. And for
hardcore and casual fans alike, who can resist the
head-to-head competition between anglers from schools with
long histories of intercollegiate rivalry, like Big 10
rivals Iowa vs. Wisconsin, SEC rivals Kentucky vs. Alabama
or Big 12 rivals K-State vs. Texas A&M. Plus, we’re going to
introduce our viewers to some of the best young anglers in
nation and believe me, these guys have all of the skills
necessary to take it to the next level.”
Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition will take place on
Oneida Lake in Oswego County, New York, and be hosted by the
Oswego County Office of Promotion and Tourism. “We are
extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with The
Outdoor Channel and UMF host Joe Thomas and his staff on
this inaugural event,” said David Turner, director of the
department. “Given that the fishery in Oswego County has
produced no less than 12 World and New York State records,
this is an excellent place to introduce America’s next
generation of professional anglers. I have no doubt that
they will find exactly what they are hoping for in the rich
waters of Oneida Lake.”
Each college angler will be competing for a share of the
$25,000 prize purse to be awarded to their school’s
scholarship fund to aid in the development of
intercollegiate competitive bass fishing. The winning angler
will receive a $10,000 scholarship, the runner-up will
receive a $7,500 scholarship, the 3rd place angler will
receive $5,000 and the 4th place angler will be awarded a
$2,500 scholarship.
Additionally, the Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition
champion will receive an all expense paid “field trip” to
Billy Chapman Jr. Angler’s Inn on Mexico’s legendary Lake El
Salto where the top student angler will be able to do a
little field study on some of the best bass fishing in North
America.
Ultimate Match Fishing College Edition will premier the 4th
quarter of 2007 only on The Outdoor Channel and the Outdoor
Channel 2HD.
For more information, contact:
Contacts:
Joe Thomas: 513-708-5901
Jim Kramer: 513-378-3518
By: Russ Bassdozer Comeau
