To encourage people to get on the water and fish while still following the social distancing guidelines of state and federal authorities, Auburn University’s Bass Fishing Club has announced it will host a virtual fishing tournament throughout the remainder of April.
“What’s better than an online tournament where you can submit pictures of your fish and you don’t have to come in contact with another person,” said Logan Parks, club president. “You don’t have to be on a fishing team; you don’t have to be in college or high school — anybody can participate.”
Parks said the team was inspired to host the event when a tournament they had been practicing for was canceled and their season was suspended due to COVID-19.
“We wanted to create something that would allow everyone to be involved and be able to compete, yet still be safe,” said Parks. “I also wanted to give our seniors another opportunity to compete as one of them made the comment to me the other day that they had fished their last tournament without even knowing it.”
The team is working closely with Fishing Chaos, a computer software company founded by Auburn alumnus John Calagaz and one of the club sponsors, to make the event happen.
To enter, contestants can download the Fishing Chaos app, make an account, register in the 2020 Auburn University April CPR Tournament and submit the picture of their fish in the appropriate category.
Parks, having been elected president of the club via Zoom early April, says the virtual tournament is helping keep the team connected during this time and hopes to reunite for the Bassmaster College National Championship as five Auburn boats have qualified to participate in the late July/early August event.
Parks’ time and connections made at Auburn has contributed to the success of leading a virtual tournament.
“Through my experience at Auburn University, I have become one of the most efficient multi-taskers there is, and this has helped out a lot with the execution of the tournament,” said Parks. “Through my experience on the fishing team at Auburn University I have made some amazing connections throughout the fishing industry that have helped out a lot in making the creation and execution of the tournament very easy. Auburn is one big family, and I know that if I ever need anything all I have to do is reach out.”
For more information on the Auburn University Bass Fishing Club and the virtual competition, contact Parks at lmp0041@auburn.edu.
For the Instagram video introducing the tournament, go to https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-2QgXxALJe/?igshid=1l1fvr0c3tl9s.
