McKenzie, Tenn. -Bethel University’s Head Bass Fishing Coach Garry Mason has announced Bethel University will extend its Bass Fishing program by adding Kayak Bass Fishing to their team format.
Kayak fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in America and Bethel University has been in the forefront of Collegiate Bass Fishing since 2009. “Bethel became the first college or university in the country to offer scholarships to athletes for the sport of Bass Fishing”, Mason said. “So, it stands to reason that our University would expand its Bass Fishing program and bring Kayak Bass Fishing to our campus.”
The timing is right as the Kayak Bass Fishing organization known as KBF will soon announce the addition of college bass fishing to its impressive tournament trail. “This series will give collegiate kayak fishermen a great place in which to compete and gain recognition for themselves and their college or university program,”according to Chad Hoover, KBF Founder and President.
Hoover added, “We are very proud to bring Collegiate Kayak Bass Fishing to our format and we couldn’t be happier that such a prestigious program as Bethel University will be there to help us jump start this series nationwide. To be able to partner with this nationally known championship program at Bethel University, will undoubtedly help us grow the sport of Collegiate Kayak Bass Fishing. The Bethel University Wildcats Bass Fishing Team and Head Coach Garry Mason are going to set the bar and be the team to beat.”
Brad Chappell, Bethel University Assistant Athletics Director, said, “We are so proud of our Bass Fishing program and what they have accomplished over the last decade. It is only appropriate that Coach Mason leads the team into this decade with new challenges on the horizon. The interest in Kayak Bass fishing has exploded in recent years and to be able to stake our claim as the first collegiate kayak bass fishing team in America helps to solidify Bethel’s commitment to Bass fishing sports. With high expectations we are very excited to be a part of this new Kayak Bass Fishing College trail.”
The KBF Trail will allow college anglers to compete in their own category during the KBF tournament trail at different lakes and locations across America and will also host the inaugural KBF Collegiate National Championship in fall 2021.