Capping off its 25th anniversary celebration and annual Celebrate Bass Fishing Week, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has inducted in three new members into the Hall on Thursday, September 25th. There at the White River Conference Center, they held a memorable ceremony to enshrine the names of Randy Hopper, Craig Lamb, and William Shakespeare, Jr., putting the Hall’s inductee roster count at a total of 103 members.
Fishing Coverage on OutdoorHub
Through sponsorships, donations, and the proceeds from a silent and live auction, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame generated approximately $200,000. A portion of these funds will be used in the coming year to support the Hall’s philanthropic efforts through its scholarships and conservation grants. Additionally, some of the funding will be utilized to enhance the Hall space within the Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. Lastly, the officials from lure company PRADCO presented the Hall of Fame with a check for $22,500 from the proceeds from the sale of the commemorative custom lures that honor the living members of the first Hall of Fame induction class.
“Looking around the ballroom during our induction dinner and ceremony, I was in complete awe in what has become an event that celebrates everything that is good about the bass fishing world,” said outgoing Hall of Fame board president John Mazurkiewicz. “From the 23 inductees in attendance sporting their blue jackets, industry leaders taking off their corporate hats to share a meal and drinks together, to seeing the future of our sport with members of various college bass fishing teams interacting with legends like Kevin VanDam, Hank Parker, Gary Klein and so many more was extra special.
“It’s been a highlight of my 40-plus year career in the fishing industry to serve on the Hall of Fame board and in the role as president over the past six years to see that this organization continues to enhance its mission of celebrating, promoting, and preserving the sport of bass fishing.” – John Mazurkiewicz
Writer for AllOutdoor.com and OutdoorHub.com Lifelong angler that will fish for anything that swim, firearms enthusiast, and hunter. Instagram – mrfish49
Trending Products
