Athens, AL Thursday, October 28, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ABA with Over 900 Tournaments in 106 Divisions to Celebrate 30th Anniversary Championship in Shreveport, Louisiana
American Bass Anglers, the largest tournament trail in the world, now offers over 900 tournaments in 105 districts across this country for the weekend angler. The tournament trail began in 1975 and through the years has been the most stable bass fishing tournament trail in the country for the true weekend angler.
“Maintaining focus on the weekend angler has been the key to growth in the organization”, said Morris Sheehan, president of the ABA. “We have worked hard to assemble the best directors in the country, who run one and two day events on the best waters in the US. The ABA difference is; we are more like a huge family, and the ABA events are run the same, coast to coast, with the same sponsors and the same tournament guidelines. The approach of low entry fees and close to home tournaments with a level playing field is what our members have come to expect. Anglers that come to their first ABA tournament see a big difference between our events and many others. Even though our members are not only competitive and some the best anglers in the world, they come to ABA tournaments to fish with friends”. Continued Sheehan, “We are very proud to announce the 2005, also the 30th anniversary, National Championship will be held on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. It will not only be a championship, but a celebration of the 30th anniversary of this organization”.
American Bass Anglers has 100 plus districts that are located in 39 states. The ultimate goal for the ABA members is qualifying for the 30th Annual National Championship and take home their share of over $300,000 is cash and prizes. Ms. Mary Ann Tice of the Shreveport Sports Authority has been working with the American Bass Anglers for over a year to make sure this is the best championship ABA members have ever attended.
Out of thousands of members, the top 500 ABA members + 30 Active Military members, and the top 50 College Students in the CAST program will be invited to attend the largest championship for the weekend angler.
“Taking the ABA championship to a community like Shreveport brings us back to an area that can truly support an event of this size”, said David Hagood, VP of American Bass Anglers, and National Tournament Director. “The communities of Shreveport and Boosier City have made it clear that they are ready to put on the best championship the ABA has ever seen. I had the pleasure of meeting Shreveport Mayor Keith Hightower, and their commitment of support will make this event truly a great championship”, continued Hagood. “We are so impressed with what Shreveport has to offer, not only for the anglers, but for the families that accompany members to the championship. Shreveport provides an enormous amount of entertainment and this year we will be there during the Red River Revel, the largest arts festival in the South. From museums like; Ark-La-Tex Antique & Classic Vehicle Museum as well as Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex Museum; the American Rose Center, Artspace at the West Edge, Barnwell Garden & Art Center with Riverfront Park and Interactive Water Fountain to name a few and the Sci-Port Discovery Center with more than 200 hands-on exhibits with an IMAX Dome Theatre. Add to all that, 5 riverboat casinos and entertainment and shopping in the Louisiana Boardwalk Shreveport is a place where the ABA family members will have a wealth of choices of activities during their stay”.
“We are thrilled to have American Bass Anglers choose Shreveport for the 2005 national championship over all other locations in the US”, Said Mary Ann Tice, Executive Director and CAO of the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. “This fall we were able to see first hand the size and magnitude of the ABA National Championship and Shreveport is more than ready for the challenge. Louisiana is truly a Sportsman’s Paradise and Shreveport offers an abundance of activities for both the anglers and their families during their stay. From art galleries, museums, shopping, riverboat casinos and the finest Cajun dinning to be found anywhere, the ABA families will have a wonderful time”, continued Tice.
Information about American Bass Anglers and the 2005 championship can be found online at http://www.americanbassanglers.com
For information about Shreveport and all of the exciting things to see and do visit http://www.shreveport-bossier.org or http://www.ci.shreveport.la.us.
American Bass Anglers is the largest tournament trail in the world offering more than 900 tournaments a season designed for the weekend angler and collegiate anglers. American Bass Anglers provides low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler with a huge National Championship the same season. For more information on American Bass Anglers visit http://www.americanbassanglers.com or call the weekend angler hotline toll free at 888-203-6222
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by: Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Gander Mountain, Lowrance, ProBass Networks, Diamond Cut Jeans, Anglers Advantage Insurance, Motor Guide, and Bayou Outdoors.
American Bass Anglers, MBAA since 1975, Tournament Trail, Military Bass Anglers Association, and ABA are all registered or pending collective membership or service marks of American Bass Anglers, Inc. All rights reserved.
American Bass Anglers, Inc PO Box 475 Athens, AL 35611 1-800-232-4428 or 1-888-203-6222 (FAX 256-233-2295)