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BFHOF Report

Supporting those whose future career paths will focus on healthy fisheries, essential access, and clean rivers, lakes and reservoirs, The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors has announced the 10 recipients of the inaugural Fishery Management Scholarship program stipends. Each of the winners will receive a $2,500 stipend to assist with undergraduate and post-graduate educational needs during the 2023-24 school year. 

“Through the Board’s many contacts in fishery management positions at state, federal and provincial levels, we are aware of the need for future fishery and natural resource professionals,” said BFHOF Board president John Mazurkiewicz. “We also know many of those same folks come from the ranks of recreational anglers, especially those who enjoy bass fishing. This project not only abides by our mission of celebrating, promoting and preserving the sport, but it also has an impact on well-managed recreational fisheries throughout the U.S. and Canada. Along with assisting these students financially so they can pursue their educational goals, the Bass Fishing HOF is also doing a small part to support the business side of our sport.”

Six of the recipients are pursuing bachelor's degrees in their chosen fields while the other four are working toward a master's degree. The recipients are (in alphabetical order):

Ryan Baker 
Hometown: Holladay, Tenn. 
College/University: University of Tennessee at Martin  
Area of Study: B.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Biology 
  
Sawyer Batterson 
Hometown: Providence, Pa. 
College/University: SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry 
Area of Study: B.S., Fisheries Science  
  
Natalie Coash 
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich. 
College/University: Auburn  
Area of Study: M.S., Fisheries & Aquatic Science  
  
Abigale Culberson 
Hometown: Waterville, New Brunswick, Canada 
College/University: University of New Brunswick at Fredericton 
Area of Study: M.S., Environmental Management 
  
Nicholas Foster 
Hometown: Lakeview, Ala. 
College/University: Birmingham Southern  
Area of Study: B.S., Environmental Science 
  
Trevor Johnston 
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas 
College/University: Texas A&M 
Area of Study: B.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Management 
  
Terra Martinez 
Hometown: Las Cruces, N.M. 
College/University: New Mexico State 
Area of Study: B.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Management 
  
Marcus Prull 
Hometown: Maquoketa, Iowa 
College/University: Auburn 
Area of Study: M.S., Fisheries & Aquatic Science 
  
Max Rubino 
Hometown: Craig, Mt. 
College/University: Auburn 
Area of Study: M.S., Fisheries & Aquatic Science 
  
Dade Vincent 
Hometown: Graham, Ky. 
College/University: Murray State 
Area of Study: B.S., Fisheries Biology 
 
According to noted fisheries biologist and HOF inductee Gene Gilliland, the assistance program drew 39 applicants, all of whom had to show their passion for the sport by being a member of either B.A.S.S. or Major League Fishing.  

“We enlisted the assistance of key individuals in senior positions in fishery management and government affairs in the review process,” said Gilliland. “They poured over the applications, transcripts and recommendation letters to come up with the top 10.”  

Among those who participated in the selection process were Phil Morlock, Director of Government Affairs with the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association; Chris Horton, Senior Director of Fisheries Policy with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Ross Self, Chief of Inland Fisheries for the South Carolina DNR; and Dr. Mark Rogers, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Leader at Tennessee Tech University.  
Mazurkiewicz noted that programs like the BFHOF’s conservations grants and the now Fishery Management Scholarship stipends would never be possible without the support the Hall receives from past inductees, professional anglers competing on the B.A.S.S and MLF tournament trails, bass anglers nationwide who support the Hall’s annual online auctions, and many leading companies involved in the bass fishing industry.  

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame will honor the Class of 2023 at its annual induction ceremony on September 28th  at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium adjacent to the Bass Pro Shop flagship store in Springfield, Mo. Glen Andrews, Bruce Holt and Mike Iaconelli will be inducted.