It’s no secret that I’m a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF). I’ve always been a huge fan of the history of this sport and an enthusiastic supporter of bass fishing’s future. So, it only makes sense that I’m a proud member of the BFHOF.

Following is a recent press release highlighting all the details.

For the second consecutive year, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) has awarded scholarships under its Fishery Management Scholarship Program. This program aims to provide financial support and encouragement to high school and college bass anglers pursuing careers in fields that will directly contribute to healthy fisheries, essential access, and clean rivers, lakes and reservoirs, consistent with the BFHOF’s mission.

The 11 selected applicants will each receive $2,500 to pursue their studies. The recipients include:

• Alex Avery, Missouri State University
• Brady Horton, Drury University
• Bradley Howell, Trent University
• Luc LaRochelle, Carleton University
• Nate Hull, Oklahoma State
• Justin Lombardo, University of Illinois
• Tom Miles, Tennessee Tech University
• Morgan Noffsinger, Central Michigan University
• Marcus Prull, Auburn University
• Levi Umland, University of Missouri
• Samuel Vazquez, University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff

“The response to this program was immense and impressive,” said BFHOF Board President John Mazurkiewicz. “Our dedicated Conservation/Education Committee, led by Board Member and BFHOF inductee Gene Gilliland, the growth of this scholarship program aligns perfectly with the Hall’s mission of celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport by investing in the future of healthy fisheries, accessible waters, and clean aquatic ecosystems.”

The awardees consist of high school seniors committed to enrolling in a four-year college or university program, as well as undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a four-year college, university, or accredited graduate program with a declared or planned major in biology, aquatic ecology, fisheries, marine science, or a closely related natural resources field.

“We were amazed by the quality and seriousness of the applications and the young men and women who expressed interest,” Gilliland said. “The applications were reviewed by an independent panel of distinguished individuals involved in fishery management across the U.S. and Canada, including: Phil Morlock, Director of Government Affairs for the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association; Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy for 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. The future of our sport, our fisheries and this program remain bright.”

The financial support for this program is made possible by 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 requirement for the 2025 Fishery Management Scholarship program later this year.

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will honor the Class of 2024 at its annual induction ceremony on September 26th at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium adjacent to the Bass Pro Shop flagship store in Springfield, Mo. Fred Arbogast, Mike McKinnis, Skeet Reese, Alfred Williams and Mark Zona will be inducted. Tickets to attend the Induction Banquet are available on their website.