T.J. Cowell, Alestle Sports Reporter
by T.J. Cowell, Alestle Sports Reporter
Fishing is my life, and one of the things I really miss about home.
Last year, the Illinois High School Association officially recognized bass fishing as an activity, with sectional and state events that provide young people with lifelong memories.
This year’s marks the second running of the event. A total of 226 teams have entered their names to participate in the IHSA Bass Fishing State Tournament. This number is up from the 199 schools who competed a year ago.
Schools interested in entering the tournament had to register online by Nov. 1. When accepted, schools are allowed to enter either one or two boats. All boats must have at least one registered student, but no more than three students listed on the boat roster. Only two kids can fish to a boat at one designated time.
Last year, if boats wanted to exchange students, they would have to go back to the loading docks and switch them out. Needless to say, that would make for a long day, but all the moving back and forth meant less time with your line in the water. You can’t win if you don’t catch fish.
This year, the IHSA has worked out the appeal to provide transportation to boats that want to rotate kids in and out. That way there is more fun to be had and less hassle to deal with. To me, this is a step in the right direction because it shows that people are starting to put more thought into the event. This leads to me think the program is headed in a positive direction.
Speaking of boats, I’m sure somebody reading this (out of the four of you), is wondering who provides the equipment for these kids. The students are responsible are compelled to provide their own poles, artificial bait and nets themselves. When talking boats, most schools have boats provided to them by the local community. Bass Fishing Clubs have also been known to donate boats and coaches for the event.
Of all the schools entered, sectional tournaments are first held with area schools competing for a chance at state, an event which is held at Carlyle Lake. Unlike other IHSA programs, Bass Fishing has only one class level. Which means no matter how big (or small) a school is, everybody competes against each other. This could be considered positive or negative. If you ask me, the IHSA should keep the event one class.
Schools are also obligated to have at least one adult oversee the program; I guess you could call him a coach. Since the students are not allowed to run the outboard motor during the events, the coach has that duty. The adult has to be approved by the local school board as the team leader. However, since the IHSA board considers bass fishing as an activity as not a sport (at least not yet), they do not have to be recognized to meet the sport coaching by-law.
Insurance-wise, because we all know there’s people out there who will worry about this stuff, the IHSA is obligated to what their Web site calls “general liability” for both the section and state tournament events.
When I was young, my dad (the guy who has taken me fishing more times than I could ever count) told me that if I couldn’t have fun fishing, then there was no point in doing it. No matter how you look at it, a lot of fishing is just luck. Granted there is some skill and technique required to doing it. Participants and the IHSA need to remember, if it isn’t going to be fun, then there is no point in doing it. Some people tend to forget that.
If you ask me, the addition of adding Bass Fishing as an IHSA tournament is a great idea. It gives kids opportunities that they might not have otherwise. Anyone who enjoys fishing as much as I do knows the memories that it gives us.
Illinois may have crooked politicians and what not, but we were the first state to have Bass Fishing as an officially recognized high school activity; that says something for us.
“And I love fried chicken and bluegill fishin’ and outlaw women and I wouldn’t change if I could…”-Rhett Akins
AlestleLive Sports Blog 