TBF Joins Forces with the FFA!

10.26.09 – Last week, three members of The Bass Federation took part in the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.

Mark Gintert and Tisha West of the TBF National Office and Ken Gibbs the Indiana State Youth Director spent three days with a show booth and an interactive display with one of the largest conventions in the country, The National FFA Convention.

Here, over 50,000 attendees from all over the country meet in an annual affair that brings together the leaders of tomorrow along with vendors from the agriculture and vocational businesses in a huge convention setting.

This event draws more people annually then the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament when it has been hosted in this town. Needless to say, it’s a big event and the TBF was proud to be a part of it!

In the convention center, TBF had a booth in the “Teachers World” section of the convention hall. Here we displayed several TBF programs including our Student Angler Federation and our new Eyewear Club Fundraiser.

As teachers came by the display, we caught their eye with our classroom DVD playing on a desktop monitor and a table full of colorful brochures. We collected over 90 names of educators interested in our program.

We continued the interaction at Lucas Oil Stadium where we joined forces with the FLW Outdoors to create an interactive carnival for the FFA Students.

Ken Gibbs of the Indiana TBF was on hand to personally work with all the students who participated in our Reel Kids Casting competition. Prizes were given out based upon students accuracy with a rod and reel, as well as their interactive ability with the Wii video game that was set up on a 10’ X 10’ screen on the FLW’s National Guard College Fishing trailer.

The result of this 3 day student extravaganza was our ability to interact with some of the finest young adults that we have ever met, and the collection of a huge list of educators who are truly interested in getting students reacquainted with the great outdoors.

The event was a huge success for the TBF and we anticipate a long running relationship with the fine members and staff of the FFA!

SAF Club Gets Underway in Tennessee

Oliver Springs High School TBF Angler Club kicked off its initiation tournament Saturday, October 10 at Caney Creek Watts Bar in Roane County. The club has 18 student angler members, and on Saturday 14 students, 9 boats and boat captains showed up at safe light in drizzling rain to officially initiate our club. At the 2:00 weigh in Zac Seiber came in first place with 6.56 points followed by second place Cary Gann 4.28 points and third place Dustin Mayton 3.44 points.

In September Mark Gintert, TBF National Youth Program Coordinator, visited Oliver Springs High School and met with a standing room only crowd to present the program and answer questions about starting a TBF school fishing club. Excitement was great and the club was quickly formed. The TBF school sponsor is Deborah Rice. Student TBF Club President Bradley Stringfield and Vice-President Brandon Finney.

The club members meet once a month during school club time and we are planning additional tournaments. Also, we are gaining new members as the word spreads about this awesome recreational activity. Community support has been great with offers of boat captains and boats and one parent has offered to provide every student member official club tee shirts. This club has caused great excitement at Oliver Springs High.

TBF Announces 2010 Youth Grant Award Winners

Earlier this year at the NGJWC in Pittsburgh PA, The Bass Federation announced a new youth grant program designed to spur the growth of junior bass clubs across the country.

Each state had an opportunity to submit an application for the $1500 award that is designed to help the winners increase the awareness of the TBF Junior Angler Program in their state.

There are two of these grants available, and for 2010, the winning states are Ohio and Virginia.

“Each of these respective states laid out a very good plan of how they intend to use the funds and really try to motivate not only the young anglers in their state, but the adults who have not gotten involved with the youth program yet,” cited TBF National Youth Director Mark Gintert.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the youth directors and presidents in both Ohio and Virginia to implement their plans and really get the word out about what we have to offer,” added Gintert.

“This is an attempt to put funding directly into the hands of those who need it the most and see what kind of progress they can make within their states,” added TBF Vice President Mike Dunkerley. “This is the first time that we have ever done a grant of this nature with the specific goal of growing our numbers. If these states are successful this may be a good model for us to build on in the future.”

The funds provided by this grant are intended for the purpose of printing literature and providing travel assistance for TBF personnel within that state while they are promoting the youth program at specific events. There is also a performance feature within the grant that rewards the state for adding new youth members through these efforts.

Congratulations to both Ohio and Virginia and stay tuned throughout the year as we track their results.

The Bass University!

The first event kicking off in Mike Iaconelli’s hometown of Runnemede, NJ on Dec 5th and 6th, 2009, will have professional anglers, Dave Wolak, Gerald Swindle, Dave Mansue, Greg Hackney, Mike Iaconelli and Pete Gluszek! Subsequent events to follow in January and February of 2010. Details of this kickoff event as well as all subsequent events can be found on www.thebassuniversity.com

Bass University registration costs per person vary from $225 to $160, with special discounts for groups of 5 or more and discounts for members of TBF!

Dallas, Texas

Dates: February 6 and 7, 2010

Speakers: Ish Monroe, Byron Velvick., Michael Iaconelli, Pete Gluszek Additional Speakers to be confirmed

Nashville, Tenn.

Dates: January 23 and January 24, 2010

Speakers: Dave Wolak, Gerald Swindle, John Crews, Randy Howell, Michael Iaconelli and Pete Gluszek

Sacramento, Calif.

Dates: January 9, 10, 2010

Speakers: Ish Monroe, Michael Bennet, Brent Ehrler, Gary Dobbins, Michael Iaconelli and Pete Gluszek

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BASS UNIVERSITY, the institution that creates advanced anglers, is the launch program created and hosted by professional anglers, Pete Gluszek (FLW) and Mike Iaconelli (BASS).

Mission: DEVELOPED for serious bass fishing enthusiasts as a tool to take anglers to the next level. Unlike any other bass fishing seminar, students will learn proven tactics and techniques from the world’s best anglers and gain access to the most cutting edge techniques, tackle, and equipment.

Products: A TWO-DAY INTENSIVE PROGRAM, taught by six of today’s top pro anglers in an easy-to-learn classroom style environment, kicked off by your hosts, Pete Gluszek and Mike Iaconelli. In addition to this exclusive, personal, and customized training, students will receive a one-year subscription to BASSIN’MAGAZINE ®, Course Literature, tackle gift pack and official BU alumni T-shirt.

Bass University, unlimited potential, unlimited success.

Be part of the Institution for Advanced Anglers