While I am a supporter of this program, all credit goes to "Women's Outdoor News" for an update to this fantastic opportunity for high school students! Here is the story word for word, with all credit, going to the "Women's Outdoor News!"
Last year, the Illinois High School Activities Association sanctioned bass fishing as a school activity and will hold sectionals and a state championship this year. Already, more than 220 schools have signed on for the bass fishing program.
In Missouri, there’s movement to imitate the program in Illinois and it’s being supported by B.A.S.S., the worldwide authority on bass fishing and its Federation Nation Youth, a foundation of B.A.S.S./ESPN Outdoors. In a letter from Stacy S. Twiggs, Senior Manager, Federation Nation Youth, to the Missouri State High School Activities Association MSHSAA), he writes, “The sport of fishing is clearly different than stick-and-ball sports, but the activity has effective ties for developing student athletes with a sound education. While competition includes physical factors, it’s easy to apply an extensive classroom curriculum to the program. A balanced program of competition combined with emphasis on conservation, environment, science, mathematics, reading, geography, art, water safety, character development and the heritage of the great outdoors has the potential to be universally accepted and strongly grounded in our nation’s schools.”
And besides all that … fishing is fun and it takes place outdoors!
The Missouri State High School Activities Association will review this proposal this month. Missourians are encouraged to contact their local high school principals and recommend action to accept this program. Let’s not stop with Missouri; let’s spread this idea nationwide.
For more information about how to start a bass fishing extra-curricular program in your state, contact Stacy Twigs: stacy.s.twiggs at Bassmaster.com
What is your opinion? Is this really a good Idea? Sound off and let us know, what are your thoughts or opinion on this matter?
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5 comments:
Kenny - its taken off here in Illinois as well. Our local High School had 3 boats - 6 anglers in the recent sectional tournament. The initial year was last year, and from what I understand, the participation and interest far exceeded expectations.
My personal opinion, is I believe that this is a good program to implement and support in our high schools and colleges. Like all things though, it could be abused and have undesired effects. If properly and appropriately supervised, will have positive impact on our sports programs and the future of fishing! Like any other sport needs to regulated and academic performance of the students involved, should maintain an average grade in all their other courses, in order to participate.
Wolf and ???,(anon), thank your for your comments, I think this is a great development in our school sports programs, I think it will have a significant, and positive, contribution to school academics and will contribute the the promotion of the outdoors and youth participation!
Kenny,
We have a new website loaded with information on this effort. The site is available at http://MissouriHighSchoolAnglers.org.
Marc Rogers
Midwest Fishing Tackle
Kenny,
We have a website at http://MissouriHighSchoolAnglers.org loaded with information on this effort.
Marc Rogers
Midwest Fishing Tackle
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