The 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by
Busch Beer will be held July 29-31 in Pittsburgh, Pa. The
announcement was made today by officials from BASS and the City of
Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh will provide a vibrant urban backdrop when the world
championship of bass fishing celebrates its 35th anniversary,” said
Dean Kessel, Vice President and General Manager, BASS. “Pennsylvania
is one of the strongest states for BASS membership and we look
forward to hosting a world-class tournament and week of activities
for our members, anglers and fans of this great sport.”
Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the country for BASS membership, with
22,688 members.
“The Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GPCVB),
together with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and other partners are
thrilled that Pittsburgh has been selected to host the CITGO
Bassmaster Classic,” says GPCVB President Joseph R. McGrath.
“Securing this event is a testimony to the more than 60 years of
efforts that have made Pittsburgh one of the cleanest and most
beautiful cities in the country. Visitors and viewers will be swept
away by our breathtaking skyline, and the trails and green spaces
along our three rivers, each of which will contribute to making the
2005 tournament a challenging and exciting competition for the
anglers and the fans.”
McGrath added that the facilities along the waterfront in downtown
Pittsburgh are within walking distance, including the new David L.
Lawrence Convention Center, where the Classic ESPN Outdoors Expo
(consumer show) will be held, and Mellon Arena, where fans can enjoy
the free, daily weigh-in festivities.
In making the announcement, Kessel also cited regional support from
ESPN affiliate Comcast and BASS sponsors including Triton Boats,
Mercury Outboards and CITGO.
“Comcast local programming in Pittsburgh is excited to provide daily
behind-the-scenes coverage of the 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic,”
said Doug Sansom, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western Atlantic
Region. “We look forward to hosting with ESPN this great sporting
event and are excited that Pittsburgh has been selected to host this
very popular event.”
Officials from CITGO, the title sponsor of both the Classic and the
tournament trail through which anglers qualify for the world
championship, were also pleased with Pittsburgh’s selection, a move
designed to help increase audience and nationwide awareness of the
sport.
“CITGO and its system of over 13,000 branded marketers and retailers
are proud to be title sponsor,” said Don Rucks of CITGO Brand
Development’s Consumer Marketing and Special Events Group. “We will
continue to assist in the development of this world-class sporting
event and help BASS continue to grow it in both size and scope.”
Anglers qualify for the Classic through several rigorous tournament
series, including the CITGO Bassmaster Tour presented by Busch Beer,
the Bassmaster Elite 50 series, the CITGO Bassmaster Open Series
presented by Busch Beer, and the BASS Federation. For Federation
anglers, whose route is widely considered the most demanding, it
takes a minimum of two years of competition to qualify for the
professional world championship.
BASS is the world’s largest fishing organization, sanctioning more
than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation. The CITGO
Bassmaster Tournament Trail presented by Busch Beer is the oldest and
most prestigious pro bass-fishing tournament circuit and continues to
set the standard for credibility, professionalism and sportsmanship
as it has since 1968.
Sponsors of the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer
include CITGO Petroleum Corp., Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats,
Mercury Marine, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lowrance Electronics, Flowmaster
Exhaust Systems, MotorGuide, Bass Pro Shops, and BankOne.
