McKenzie, Tenn.–Something extra special has happened this week for the Bethel University when four of its best anglers will be competing the World Championship Bassmasters Classic in Knoxville. Through hard work, the Bethel fishing team is used to receiving national accolades but this week they are competing on the world stage.
The ‘Fab Four’ are Tristan McCormick, Cody Huff, KJ Queen, and Will Davis and their Coach Garry Mason of Springville couldn’t be more proud.
Mason is so proud he felt compelled to put pen to paper and write an ode to his team and their achievements:
“It starts with a dream. A little boy looks out his bedroom window and imagines having a bass boat, he can almost smell the fresh water with a hint of a fishy smell in his nostrils. He closes his eyes as he dreams of picking out that special bait. Then he ties it onto the line on his favorite rod and reel. His first cast brings a huge bite as he fights a fish of a lifetime. Not just any fish and not just any tournament. His dreams are dreams of fishing the World Championship of Bass Fishing his dreams are of walking across the stage at the Bassmasters Classic.
“The Classic was the dream child of Mr. Ray Scott, the father of professional bass tournament fishing. Mr. Scott created not on the Bassmasters Classic event but also the Bass Anglers Sporstsmen Society which has become the world’s largest bass fishing organization with members from around the globe. Not bad for an insurance salesman from Pintlala Alabama.
“Enough history, back to our dreamer. Cast after cast this young angler hooks up bass and not just average bass but big fish. The kind that dreams are made of. Then the dream ends. With a Classic win of course.
“Turning to today, this week is Classic week. All of the fanfare, bells and whistles included. Parents, friends, and fans, yes Fishermen have fans, will be watching the live weigh in this week. Some in attendance personally and some over livestream and television coverage.
“All of that combined makes for a huge audience in what was once just a dream. A dream from Mr. Ray Scott now has become a dream of anglers from all over the world. But only a very few will take that walk across the prestigious Classic stage. Fifty five professional bass anglers qualify for the Classic which is held each year. Only the top twenty five of those anglers make the cut and get to fish on the third and final day of the Bassmasters Classic with the top weighted angler being crowned Classic Champion at the end of the day.
“Yes, this week is the Classic week and something special has happened this year. You see that young man that was dreaming of this week turned into four great young men. Four Anglers from the campus of Bethel University will fish the Classic this week. They now are four of the world’s very best bass anglers. They are among the top fifty five bass anglers in the world. No matter where they wind up in the Classic, no matter how many bass they catch or how much weight they have at the end of the day, Bethels new Fab Four are the worlds best at what they do now for a living. Their dreams for years ago are being lived right before their very eyes, and before ours as well.
“So please join me this week in wishing Tristan McCormick, Cody Huff, KJ Queen, and Will Davis the very best of luck and safe journeys.
“Live your dreams young men and enjoy. You worked so very hard to achieve them.”
Your Bethel University family is pulling for Bethel’s Fab Four.
Proud of you all
Coach Garry Mason
Bethel University