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THE BASS FEDERATION AND COLLEGIATE BASS ANGLERS ASSOCIATION
FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP
 For
additional information, please contact: tbf@bassfederation.com
The Bass Federation Inc.
580.765.9031
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PONCA CITY, Okla. (April 24, 2006) - The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) announced today the formation of a new partnership
and the charter of a new federation affiliation with the national governing body of collegiate anglers - the Collegiate
Bass Anglers Association (CBAA).
Incorporated in 2004 as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, the CBAA functions as the national governing body of
intercollegiate bass fishing. It is not just another organization throwing its line into tournament waters or focusing
on made-for-television events. The CBAA seeks to promote collegiate bass fishing on a national scale by bringing
it recognition as an organized and standard collegiate sport. It is dedicated to the recruitment, retention and
successful development of tomorrow's anglers and outdoor leaders by providing a vehicle for student athletes to
excel in the areas of personal, professional and angling development. The development of the whole angler is vital
to insure that our rich angling heritage retains a solid foundation for tomorrow and years to come. CBAA programs
include new club development; consulting; state, regional, and national athletic competition; scholarships; internships;
conservation and youth programs.
"We are proud to be the newest member of the TBF/FLW Outdoors family and its first national federation chapter,
serving collegiate anglers from coast to coast," said Troy Heckaman, CBAA commissioner and co-founder. "We
researched the prevailing opinion of today's collegiate anglers over the past 18 months, structuring our organization
and program development around our findings."
TBF President Robert Cartlidge said: "TBF and our industry partners are truly excited about CBAA coming on
board as a new official federation chapter. CBAA fills a significant hole in amateur bass fishing. The federation
has a long history of supporting youth programs, but generally those programs stop at age 18. I cannot place enough
emphasis on the importance of a good college education. Now with CBAA on board as a new federation chapter, we
can keep those youth we are growing in the sport of fishing at a young age active and occupied throughout their
collegiate years by participating in something based on family values and that is constructive. There is plenty
in a college atmosphere that can sidetrack a young person down the wrong path. Now angling teams can be formed
and compete in their chosen sport at the college and national level. Millions of bass anglers nationwide will now
be able to cheer for and support their favorite college team! We expect great things from this partnership."
"Collegiate teams and anglers will have new tournament opportunities available to them, including priority
entry status into our Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournaments as boaters and co-anglers as well as co-anglers
in the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series and Stren Series," said David Simmons, FLW Outdoors/TBF programs
manager. "All of the participation and membership benefits available to the TBF will be provided to these
collegiate anglers who also become TBF/FLW Outdoors members. We couldn't be happier about the opportunity to work
with the CBAA to develop new collegiate programs."
The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF affiliated
state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the
local level each year and have provided the foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 30 years. |
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