BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-July 27, 2002 - Members of bass clubs are sometimes mistaken for weekend warriors who converge on a local lake to cast for bragging rights and a trophy.
That is certainly not the case with some 2,800 clubs affiliated with the B.A.S.S. Federation, the grass-roots arm of BASS. To drive home the point, more than a dozen state Federations, their members and clubs were honored at the Classic.
The New York State B.A.S.S. Federation took one of the top awards as Federation of the Year. New York earned the award for many good deeds, including an effort to raise more than $6,000 for the World Trade Center Disaster Relief Fund. Another $4,500 was raised for academic scholarships given to two graduating high school seniors. On the conservation agenda, the Federation holds an active seat on the State Conservation Council, the Hudson River Estuary Management Committee, and the State Fish and Wildlife Committee.
"We're a busy Federation and what we do off the lake is a big part of our agenda," said Wayne Tomassi, president of the 800-member group. "We've never won this award before and it's a true honor for us."
In other awards, West Virginia president John Burdette was honored as Federation Member of the Year. The St. Louis Bassmasters earned several awards, including Chapter of the Year, and the Chapter Community Service award.
Federation Awards
Chapter Special Event Tournament: Bayview Bassmasters, Wisconsin
Chapter Youth: Taylor Creek Bass Club, Florida
Chapter Conservation: Taylor Creek Bass Club, Florida
Chapter Public Relations: Pigeon Valley Bassmasters, North Carolina
Chapter Community Service: St. Louis Area Bassmasters
Federation Youth: Washington State B.A.S.S. Federation
Federation Publication: Maryland B.A.S.S. Federation
Federation Community Service: Indiana B.A.S.S. Federation
Federation Special Event: Indiana B.A.S.S. Federation
Federation Conservation: Washington State B.A.S.S. Federation
Outstanding Overall Junior Club: Kincaid Junior Bassmasters, Kentucky
Chapter of the Year: St. Louis Area Bassmasters
Federation of the Year: New York B.A.S.S. Federation
Member of the Year: John Burdette, West Virginia
B.A.S.S. Communications (334) 272-9530