anGlinG prOFile
GOING ON THE RECORD WITH NOTABLE FLW FISHERMEN
bethel university
SEVEN YEARS AFTER AWARDING THE FIRST VARSITY FISHING SCHOLARSHIP, THE NATION’S FIRST
COLLEGE-FUNDED FISHING CLUB IS PROVING THAT ITS SYSTEM CAN WORK FOR EVERYONE
W
by David A. Brown
PHOTOS BY D.W. REED II
28
hen you believe in your cards, you go all-in. But for
Bethel University, launching the nation’s first varsity
fishing program shortly after the formation of FLW
College Fishing was less of a gamble than it was an investment.
The premise was simple: Offer scholarship support for tal-
ented student anglers to study at this cozy little Christian uni-
versity in northwest Tennessee, give them a budget for fish-
ing activities and treat them the same as any other competitor
wearing the Wildcats’ purple and gold.
To spearhead the fledgling program, Bethel hired Garry
Mason, a longtime west Tennessee hunting and fishing guide
and founder of the “Legends of the Outdoors” National Hall
of Fame. Tasked with recruitment and team de velopment,
Mason also found that nearly 40 years of contacts proved
invaluable in gaining regional and national media exposure –
including from the New York Times. Back in 2010, a feature
story on Bethel’s new varsity program earned the school
widespread notoriety.
As Mason recalls, Bethel’s administration and athletic depart-
ment were cautiously optimistic, but once the team success and
the media coverage started rolling, everyone jumped in with
both feet. Now, Bethel is among the nations’ best established and
FlWFishinG.COM i auGust-septeMber 2016