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Board hears proposal to formalize school fishing club; 82 students show interest and nationals trip possible
Summary
An administrator and volunteers outlined plans to run a school‑based fishing club under the Southern Gap name, saying 82 students have expressed interest; requirements include membership fees, boat‑captain insurance and travel for region/state/national tournaments.
Mr. Stevens told the Buchanan County School Board that organizers have heard from 82 students interested in a school fishing club and walked the board through how the program would operate and the costs involved.
"We currently have 82 kids that have said they're interested in the fishing club," Mr. Stevens said, describing tournament structure, travel and insurance requirements. He explained that to advance to state tournaments a youth must fish three region tournaments and that a "second‑chance" state tournament win recently qualified a junior team to nationals at Lake Cumberland.
Mr. Stevens and supporting volunteers discussed practical requirements: each competing boat would have two students and one boat captain; boat captains must carry $300,000 liability and a $1 million accidental policy (as shown in the organization's paperwork). Individual students would pay $25 to register with TBF, which organizers said covers required insurance and Major League Fishing membership for tournament qualification. Organizers also proposed jerseys at roughly $40 apiece if 12 are ordered.
Board members asked about travel costs and time away from school; presenters said tournaments involve multi‑day travel and sometimes missing school days, and that principals are being consulted to manage absences. Mr. Stevens said the program could include students from neighboring communities under the Southern Gap roster while the district finalizes a Southern Gap team.
Why it matters: Organizing the fishing club would create extracurricular opportunities that can yield scholarships and statewide recognition — presenters said some scholarship programs tied to bass fishing can reach into five figures for winners — but it also requires administrative oversight, insurance verification and coordination on student absences and funding.
Next steps: Mr. Stevens said he has sign‑up paperwork and will continue coordination with principals and transportation; the board received the presentation and there was no formal vote to fund or adopt the program during the May 18 meeting.
