By Chad Love

From the story in Illinois's Springfield State Journal-Register:

The Illinois High School Association has hooked more schools to participate in its one-of-a-kind state championship bass-fishing tournament this year. Eleven central Illinois schools will compete in the sectional tournament April 23 at Lake Sangchris. Top finishers will go on to compete in the state finals at Carlyle Lake May 7-8. So far, 225 schools are entered, up from 199 in 2009.

“I’m pleased we have 26 more additions,” says Dave Gannaway, Illinois High School Association assistant executive director. “Schools are financially strapped, and they are trying to figure out how to keep the sports and activities they have. “It’s not a good time to add activities or sports, so I’m pretty amazed we have this increase.”

As more and more schools offer angling as a sport, do you think it will ever attain the same level of acceptance as more traditional high school sports? For all you ex-high school jocks out there, would you be happy to see your sons (or daughters) give up football or baseball for a baitcaster?

Comments (10)

from VAHunter540 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

I don't know if I could ever be happy if they gave it up, competitive physical sports will always be great character builders but I would certainly encourage them to participate/ go out for the school Fishing team. What a great excuse to go fishing, "Darlin, little Johnny has to practice for the Tournament, We will have to go fishing most weekends until then so he can practice!" I know for one if this had been around while I was in school it would have been a no brainer for me to try out! Man kids these days get everything!

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from Ethan3 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

Wow, I wish I had that at my school. Those kids are lucky. I doubt it ever gets as popular as physical sports, but I definately think it will keep growing.

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from Izzy2011 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

Why don't we get that in Indiana?

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from hunterkid94 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

I now want to get my school involved. That would be AMAZING!!!!

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from Dotcomaphobe wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

If they'd done this when I was in school, I would have show up for class more often!

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from KyleKortright wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

Oh man those lucky kids I wish I had that at my school!

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from ADKHunter wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

i would love to have that

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from jerry1958 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

I am in middle school now and play sports and I think that even though I would be busy with sports others who dont play sports who fish would enjoy it

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from muskiemaster wrote 1 year 41 weeks ago

wish Wisconsin would get one of these, my school would definitely win. We've got a large student body of hunters and fisherman and we could even make a varsity and JV team if we needed to.

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from hammelh13 wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

get that in iowa we have awesome fishing especialy along the mississippi river. we definatley should have it i would do it.

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from VAHunter540 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

I don't know if I could ever be happy if they gave it up, competitive physical sports will always be great character builders but I would certainly encourage them to participate/ go out for the school Fishing team. What a great excuse to go fishing, "Darlin, little Johnny has to practice for the Tournament, We will have to go fishing most weekends until then so he can practice!" I know for one if this had been around while I was in school it would have been a no brainer for me to try out! Man kids these days get everything!

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Ethan3 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

Wow, I wish I had that at my school. Those kids are lucky. I doubt it ever gets as popular as physical sports, but I definately think it will keep growing.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Izzy2011 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

Why don't we get that in Indiana?

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from hunterkid94 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

I now want to get my school involved. That would be AMAZING!!!!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Dotcomaphobe wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

If they'd done this when I was in school, I would have show up for class more often!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from KyleKortright wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

Oh man those lucky kids I wish I had that at my school!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ADKHunter wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

i would love to have that

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from jerry1958 wrote 1 year 42 weeks ago

I am in middle school now and play sports and I think that even though I would be busy with sports others who dont play sports who fish would enjoy it

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from muskiemaster wrote 1 year 41 weeks ago

wish Wisconsin would get one of these, my school would definitely win. We've got a large student body of hunters and fisherman and we could even make a varsity and JV team if we needed to.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from hammelh13 wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

get that in iowa we have awesome fishing especialy along the mississippi river. we definatley should have it i would do it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.