BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Costa renewed its title sponsorship for the 2017 Bassmaster High School tournament series, B.A.S.S. announced today. The company will also continue its supporting sponsorship of the Bassmaster College Series. This will be the third consecutive year that Costa has partnered with B.A.S.S.
The Costa Bassmaster High School Series has grown dramatically, currently involving more than 5,500 student athletes representing 600 schools in 45 states. The program is one of the fastest-growing initiatives within B.A.S.S.
“We’re extremely proud to once again be the title sponsor of the Bassmaster High School Series,” said Melinda Hays, Costa’s Bass Community Leader. “Watching the huge influx of young people entering the sport of bass fishing is exciting, and we’re happy to help this positive movement.”
The Costa Bassmaster High School Opens sometimes attract more than 300 two-person teams, each accompanied by an adult “captain” who operates the boat. The top competitors from the Opens, from state high school championships and from sanctioned team trails qualify for the Costa Bassmaster High School National Championship.
“Costa believes that encouraging young people to get outside and fish is extremely important, not only to the future of our sport, but fishing also has the opportunity to teach them many life lessons,” Hays said. “Determination, hard work and persistence are only a few of those. We have an incredible opportunity for many new young anglers to develop a true appreciation for nature and conservation through these events.”
The Daytona Beach, Fla., company, which has produced some of the most popular sunglasses in the world since its inception in 1983, will sponsor all three Bassmaster High School Open events this year (Southern, Central and Midwest), plus a national championship this summer at a site to be determined. Costa will also be a supporting sponsor for all Bassmaster College Series events in 2017, which started competition in January.
“The Bassmaster High School and College fishing programs have expanded tremendously,” said Hank Weldon, senior tournament manager for the Bassmaster High School and College Series. “We’re pleased with the support Costa has provided in helping shape the future of our sport.”
The first Costa Bassmaster High School tournament of 2017 took place March 11, with competition on Toledo Bend Reservoir out of Many, La. New this year, B.A.S.S. extended invitations to the Top 5 finishing teams from this tournament to participate in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster High School Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods on Lake Conroe, March 24-26, out of Houston, Texas.
