Shimano Report

Shimano Expands Scholarship Programs for High School and College Anglers

Logan Parks (left) from Auburn, Ala., and Patrick Duran (right of check) from Cherry Hill, N.J. both won Shimano Varsity Program scholarships in 2017. Here they are with Shimano’s Youth Fishing Director Frank Hyla accepting their award at last year’s B.A.S.S. High School Championship event at Paris Landing, Tenn.

Expanding the qualifications to include both graduating high school seniors and those already enrolled in undergrad and graduate programs, Shimano North American Fishing, Inc. will now award up to $30,000 in scholarships as part of its ‘Shimano Varsity’ program.

The expansion of the program was officially announced to state DNR professionals and bass club leaders by Shimano Youth Fishing Director Frank Hyla at the biannual B.A.S.S. Conservation Summit held in conjunction with the recent Bassmaster Classic.

“The scholarships provide needed financial assistance to future leaders in conservation, fisheries and wildlife sciences and management,” said Hyla,

Along with the scholarships, Shimano’s Varsity Program helps younger anglers learn about fishing tackle and techniques, provides industry networking opportunities at Shimano ‘Career Seminar’ events, and stresses the role anglers have in fishing conservation and advocacy.

“Since our program began in early 2017, those anglers participating in our program have been active with the ‘Keep America Fishing Pitch It’ program keeping used plastic baits out of our lakes and rivers,” said Hyla, “They have also picked up thousands of pounds of trash at boat ramps and other areas through our ‘Leave It Better’ projects.”

For their studies beginning in fall 2018, Shimano will award up to fifteen (15) $2,000 scholarships to U.S. and Canadian high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate students who are members of B.A.S.S., and majoring in biology, fisheries, wildlife or a natural resource related field.

A specially selected panel, including Shimano’s Phil Morlock, B.A.S.S. Conservation Director Gene Gilliland, and Chris Horton with the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation, will determine the scholarship winners. Application forms – with a May 31 deadline - are available on the Shimano website at Shimano Varsity Program Scholarship.

Successful applicants will be notified by July 1. The award is made directly to the student winner and can be used as needed for tuition, textbooks or living expenses.

For more information about on the ‘Shimano Varsity’ program, visit: http://varsity.shimano.com.