By: Brianna Powell
An angler, a boat driver, and the open water is all the Bellarmine Bass Fishing team needs to enjoy and win tournaments across the country. The team was founded in 2015 by Trevor Hulsey. Since then, they have continued to grow, recruiting new students and raising awareness through Bellarmine’s fall involvement fair.
The Bellarmine Bass Fishing team currently consists of 12 members who serve as anglers and boat drivers. According to team members Hayden Bailey and Drew Kuebler, they prefer a small team because it is cheaper for them to enter tournaments, allowing them to enter more tournaments throughout the season. The downside is that they have a comparatively small team, which means they are statistically less likely to win said tournaments because most teams have upwards of 30 members.
Despite the challenges, a small team also contributes to the overall team spirit. Because the team only consists of 12 people who spend countless weekends traveling together, they have formed a tight-knit bond. When they compete its only two people to a boat for the majority of the day, in which there is nothing to do but fish and get to know each other. This togetherness creates a productive team environment where everyone knows each other and can work well alongside each other.
The team’s schedule differs from other Bellarmine sports. Kuebler explained, “It really depends on how the schedule is made for the year. Fishing is totally different from a basketball season or anything like that because we are not affiliated with the NCAA. So, there are two companies who host fishing tournaments, so it depends on how they make their schedule. Typically, the spring is the busiest time of the year with one or two (tournaments)in summer and fall.”
COVID-19 has influenced the lives of the Bass Fishing team as much as everyone else. When COVID-19 first hit, the Bass Fishing tournaments were completely shut down, but as time has went on, the tournaments have adjusted. Bass Fishing staff advisor, Cynthia Lally, explained, “The other RSOs (Registered Student Organizations) are not allowed to travel but with bass fishing they’re outdoors and its two people to a boat and they camp outside. They get tested before they leave and when they get back.” Bellarmine University has been doing everything they can to keep its community safe while still being able to participate in activities.
You can keep up with the Bellarmine Bass Fishing team on Instagram @BU_bassfishing