Paris, Tennessee -June 22, 2012 – Collegiate anglers throughout the country have converged on Paris, Tennessee for the 2012 Collegiate Bass Fishing Open, Presented by Pepsi. More than 40 different universities, most with multiple teams, will be sweating it out over the weekend on Kentucky Lake.
Serving as host for the third consecutive year, The Henry County Alliance of Paris, Tennessee, and the Paris Landing Marina will be tournament headquarters. Fishing takes place June 23-24, with the registration, dinner, and pre-tournament activities to be held Friday, June 22, 2012 at the Henry County Fairgrounds.
This unique event features a true team format that allows teammates to share information on the water and work together to amass the largest amount of weight possible over two days of competition. The winning team will be determined by the combined weight of the top two or four angler team.
To kick off the event, anglers will be participating in a “Spirit Parade” through town, featuring the trucks, boats, and of course, school spirit. The boat deemed to have the most spirit by a panel of judges will win $250 in Cabela’s gift cards, courtesy of the ACA.
Cabela’s Pro Angler, Clark Wendlandt, will serve as the Grand Marshall of the parade, which begins and ends at the Henry County Fairgrounds. College anglers will be treated to a fish fry and registration banquet at the Henry County Fair Grounds Commercial Ag Building after the parade.
Tournament Director, Wade Middleton, commented, “The parade, the fish fry, and the social are the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Series’ version of a pep rally the night before the big game. The anglers have a blast in the Collegiate Bass Fishing Open, Presented by Pepsi, and it’s certainly a big game for the teams.”
The Open is a “big game” because it is the last qualifying tournament for the 2012 ACA School of the Year Program, meaning winners of this inaugural program will be crowned at Paris Landing on Sunday, June 24 at the conclusion of the event. Currently the School of the Year race is tight, with only 104 points separating the top three teams, all of which are competing in this final event of the season. The event is open to all collegiate fishing teams recognized by their university, and there is no entry fee to participate.
Daily weigh-ins will be held at Paris Landing Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24. They are free and open to the public. Collegiate fishing fans, family members, and friends of competitors can follow the action by visiting Collegiatebasschampionship.com andFacebook.com/CollegiateBassChampionship.
