For some high school football coaches, the joy of fishing is something that is only dreamed about between football practices and analyzing game film. In 2010, Seymour assistant coach Matt Shuler decided to turn that love of fishing into an opportunity to support the high school football team he helps coach.
Now entering its second year, the Seymour Football Bass Tournament will be held on
May 14. The tournament will take place at Mountain Cove Marina, 1590 Dyke Road, on Douglas Lake, and blastoff will be a safe light — around 6:30 a.m.
The idea for a bass tournament as a football fund raiser originated with Shuler’s love of fishing.
“I enjoy fishing and have fished in some bass tournaments,” said Shuler. “It always seemed like a great way to reach people in the community that you do not reach with a traditional fund raiser such as a golf tournament.
“We were looking for something different that could be done to raise money for sprinklers on the team’s practice field. A bass tournament was something that we hadn’t done before.”
The first bass tournament had sixteen entries and more than $750 in prizes were awarded.
“We are looking forward to awarding more in prizes at this year’s tournament,” said Shuler. “There has been a lot of interest expressed in entering this year’s tournament.”
The entry fee for the 2011 Seymour Football Bass Tournament is $85 per team for those who enter before May 7. The entry fee is $105 per team after May 7.
Food will be provided by The Chop House at weigh-in.
For more information about the 2nd Annual Seymour Football Bass Tournament, call Coach Matt Shuler at 865-255-1278 or email mattshuler@sevier.org or Coach Jim Moore at 865-577-7040.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.