Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Clouse supports high school alma mater

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Meet Gary Clouse, alumnus of Mansfield High School. Clouse remains connected with his hometown of Mansfield, located in southwest Missouri. Clouse, president and founder of Phoenix Boats, traces his tournament roots to Ozark lakes in the area. <p> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
Meet Gary Clouse, alumnus of Mansfield High School. Clouse remains connected with his hometown of Mansfield, located in southwest Missouri. Clouse, president and founder of Phoenix Boats, traces his tournament roots to Ozark lakes in the area.

All captions: Craig Lamb

Table Rock Lake is one of the favorites. Clouse returns there for a special moment that begins with a greeting by James Barnett. He and Clouse were teenage friends.
Table Rock Lake is one of the favorites. Clouse returns there for a special moment that begins with a greeting by James Barnett. He and Clouse were teenage friends.
“I got into bass fishing when I was a teenager but there was no such thing as high school bass fishing,” says Clouse. “After watching it grow I wanted to see it happen in my hometown.” Meet the Mansfield High School Fishing Team.
“I got into bass fishing when I was a teenager but there was no such thing as high school bass fishing,” says Clouse. “After watching it grow I wanted to see it happen in my hometown.” Meet the Mansfield High School Fishing Team.
Clouse has spent a lifetime career of success in the marine business. Today he wants to give something back in return. “I want these kids to have a chance to become pro anglers, maybe even find careers in the industry.” Clouse has done both. He also competes in the pro division of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens.
Clouse has spent a lifetime career of success in the marine business. Today he wants to give something back in return. “I want these kids to have a chance to become pro anglers, maybe even find careers in the industry.” Clouse has done both. He also competes in the pro division of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens.
Clouse, like his company, is very grass roots focused and stays connected with bass fishermen at their level. That includes high school bass fishing. Clouse is making a special delivery to the team.
Clouse, like his company, is very grass roots focused and stays connected with bass fishermen at their level. That includes high school bass fishing. Clouse is making a special delivery to the team.
The team checks out his tournament rig before opening some gifts. Clouse just finished competing at the Central Opens event held on Table Rock. “I’d like to be out there now, but this is a neat way to wrap up the week,” he says.
The team checks out his tournament rig before opening some gifts. Clouse just finished competing at the Central Opens event held on Table Rock. “I’d like to be out there now, but this is a neat way to wrap up the week,” he says.
“Maybe there are kids on the fence not sure about getting into bass fishing, or even high school tournament fishing,” says Clouse. “Sometimes all it takes is a cool factor to get them involved.”
“Maybe there are kids on the fence not sure about getting into bass fishing, or even high school tournament fishing,” says Clouse. “Sometimes all it takes is a cool factor to get them involved.”
The boxes come open as Barnett, now a team captain, checks out the goods with the team. The team is in its first year of fishing at the high school level.
The boxes come open as Barnett, now a team captain, checks out the goods with the team. The team is in its first year of fishing at the high school level.
Last year, Superintendant Nate Moore contacted Clouse about the idea of a high school team. The interest was mutual and today everyone gets to celebrate.
Last year, Superintendant Nate Moore contacted Clouse about the idea of a high school team. The interest was mutual and today everyone gets to celebrate.
Each member of the team and the captains receive a tournament jersey. High school tournament fishing has reached a level where the student-anglers wear jerseys like the pros. Boats are even wrapped and the weigh-ins follow the pro rules.
Each member of the team and the captains receive a tournament jersey. High school tournament fishing has reached a level where the student-anglers wear jerseys like the pros. Boats are even wrapped and the weigh-ins follow the pro rules.
The team even receives tournament hats from Phoenix Boats. “I want them to have everything they need,” says Clouse. “We have great kids at Mansfield and they deserve it.”
The team even receives tournament hats from Phoenix Boats. “I want them to have everything they need,” says Clouse. “We have great kids at Mansfield and they deserve it.”
Smiles on the faces show the appreciation of the goods from Clouse and Phoenix Boats. “Gary took me bass fishing for the first time,” recalls Principal Gary Green. “So for Gary to come through with all this is just amazing.”
Smiles on the faces show the appreciation of the goods from Clouse and Phoenix Boats. “Gary took me bass fishing for the first time,” recalls Principal Gary Green. “So for Gary to come through with all this is just amazing.”
The 12 members are divided into six teams. They are looking forward to competing at the high school level this season in Missouri.
The 12 members are divided into six teams. They are looking forward to competing at the high school level this season in Missouri.
“After I heard about the idea I wanted to do more,” says Clouse. More is connected to the Tournament Support rig driven by Tournament Support Rep Andy Stallings. He towed the boat from the Phoenix Boats assembly facility and company headquarters in middle Tennessee.
“After I heard about the idea I wanted to do more,” says Clouse. More is connected to the Tournament Support rig driven by Tournament Support Rep Andy Stallings. He towed the boat from the Phoenix Boats assembly facility and company headquarters in middle Tennessee.
The team will have use of this Phoenix 618 Pro, complete with Mercury 150 OptiMax Outboard, dual Power-Pole shallow water anchors, Lowrance electronics at the bow and dashboard and a Minn Kota Fortrex trolling motor. The boat is wrapped in school colors from bow to stern.
The team will have use of this Phoenix 618 Pro, complete with Mercury 150 OptiMax Outboard, dual Power-Pole shallow water anchors, Lowrance electronics at the bow and dashboard and a Minn Kota Fortrex trolling motor. The boat is wrapped in school colors from bow to stern.
Clouse adds finishing touches to the rig to make it shine like any used by the Phoenix Boats Pro Staff.
Clouse adds finishing touches to the rig to make it shine like any used by the Phoenix Boats Pro Staff.
Stallings, on hand for the Central Open at Table Rock, is always on call to provide support to the pro anglers. He adds more decals to the boat. “It’s got to be tricked out all the way to make it look like a tournament Phoenix,” he says.
Stallings, on hand for the Central Open at Table Rock, is always on call to provide support to the pro anglers. He adds more decals to the boat. “It’s got to be tricked out all the way to make it look like a tournament Phoenix,” he says.
School Superintendant Nate Moore contacted Clouse and the idea came to fruition. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for what Gary has done for us,” he says.
School Superintendant Nate Moore contacted Clouse and the idea came to fruition. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for what Gary has done for us,” he says.
Clouse shares advice before handing over the keys to the Mansfield Lions’ tournament rig. “There is more to tournament fishing than competing,” he tells them. “There is fellowship, conservation and passing on the sport to your family and friends.”
Clouse shares advice before handing over the keys to the Mansfield Lions’ tournament rig. “There is more to tournament fishing than competing,” he tells them. “There is fellowship, conservation and passing on the sport to your family and friends.”
The team gets to do that in style, thanks to Clouse and Phoenix Boats.
The team gets to do that in style, thanks to Clouse and Phoenix Boats.
The first team photo of many as the student anglers wear their jerseys and pose with Clouse.
The first team photo of many as the student anglers wear their jerseys and pose with Clouse.
“This means a lot to me and Phoenix Boats,” says Clouse. “I have a very rewarding career in the boat business and you never know, some of these kids might get into it or even become successful pro anglers.”
“This means a lot to me and Phoenix Boats,” says Clouse. “I have a very rewarding career in the boat business and you never know, some of these kids might get into it or even become successful pro anglers.”

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