August 03, 2023
Supporting those whose future career paths will focus on healthy fisheries, essential access and clean rivers, lakes and reservoirs, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors has announced the 10 recipients of the inaugural Fishery Management Scholarship program stipends. Each of the winners will receive a $2,500 stipend to assist with undergraduate and post-graduate educational needs during the 2023-24 school year.
“Through the Board’s many contacts in fishery management positions at state, federal and provincial levels, we are aware of the need for future fishery and natural resource professionals,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “We also know many of those same folks come from the ranks of recreational anglers, especially those who enjoy bass fishing. This project not only abides by our mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport, but it also has an impact on well-managed recreational fisheries throughout the U.S. and Canada.
"Along with assisting these students financially so they can pursue their educational goals, the Bass Fishing HOF is also doing a small part to support the business side of our sport. There’s no need to manufacture and/or buy bass tackle, boats and other essential gear if there is a shortage of healthy bass fishing waters in which to use them.”
Six of the recipients are pursuing bachelor's degrees in their chosen fields while the other four are working toward a master's degree. The recipients are (in alphabetical order):
Advertisement
> Ryan Baker
“We then enlisted the assistance of key individuals in senior positions in fishery management and government affairs in the review process,” said Gilliland. “They poured over the applications, transcripts and recommendation letters to come up with the Top 10.”
Among those who participated in the selection process were Phil Morlock, Director of Government Affairs with the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association; Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Ross Self, Chief of Inland Fisheries for the South Carolina DNR; and Dr. Mark Rogers, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Leader at Tennessee Tech University.
Advertisement
Mazurkiewicz noted that programs like the BFHOF’s conservations grants and the now Fishery Management Scholarship stipends would never be possible without the support the Hall receives from past inductees, professional anglers competing on the B.A.S.S and MLF tournament trails, bass anglers nationwide who support the Hall’s annual online auctions and many leading companies involved in the bass fishing industry.
The BFHOF Board will announce details and application requirements for the 2024 Fishery Management Scholarship program later this year. It again expects to award at least $25,000 to up to 10 students looking to pursue degrees in natural resource fields with an end goal of becoming a practicing fishery manager.
