KHSAA Release

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky’s lakes, rivers and streams have always been a haven for anglers and record-breaking catches. Starting with the 2012-13 school year, young anglers will have a chance to win something more – a high school state

championship.

The KHSAA will add bass fishing as a varsity sport-activity starting next year, Commissioner Julian Tackett

announced in a Wednesday morning press conference. Bass fishing will join bowling, which is holding its first

KHSAA-sanctioned state championship in late March, and competitive cheer as sport-activities offered by the

Association. Kentucky becomes the second state nationally to offer bass fishing as a varsity sport, following Illinois.

It will be offered in the spring with a regular season scheduled from late February through mid-April. The

postseason and state competition will take place in late April.

“To say we are excited to sponsor bass fishing as a state championship sport-activity is an understatement,” said

Tackett. “Not only does it seem like a natural fit, given the number of Kentuckians of all ages who enjoy fishing

and the outdoors, but it also allows us to reach one more group of students who may not already participate in an

extra-curricular activity and give them a chance to be a part of a team. Representing your school and your

community comes with great responsibility – keeping your grades up, staying out of trouble and setting an

example for others. Not only do we hope to reward these students with a state championship event experience

next year but we hope it fosters a lifelong love of the sport.”

Much like youth programs already in place for bowling and archery, Tackett said the assistance the Association

has already received from organizations such as The Bass Federation and youth director Mark Gintert, as well as

FLW and Outdoors Operations Manager Dave Washburn has proven invaluable. The appreciation has been

reciprocated.

“The Bass Federation is very excited to be working with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and the

FLW Outdoors to help bring high school fishing to the state of Kentucky,” said Gintert. “These three organizations

represent the forefront of youth fishing and athletics across the state and we can’t wait to see the program grow as

a result of this partnership.”

The first state championship for bass fishing will be held at the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation

Area. The area has already played host to numerous high school fishing tournaments, including last year’s Murray

State High School Fishing Open on Kentucky Lake, an event that drew 88 teams representing more than 50

Kentucky high schools.

The new sport-offering has already gained traction in the state as Terry Johnson, Executive Director of the

Bluegrass State Games, also announced on Wednesday that bass fishing will join the full offering of sporting events

at this summer’s competition.

“We are very excited to partner with Murray State and FLW Outdoors to add high school fishing to the Bluegrass

State Games,” said Johnson. “We provide Kentuckians of all ages with a wide array of sports in which to compete

and the momentum high school fishing will gain as a result of its addition as a varsity sport by the KHSAA makes it a natural fit.”