BASS Receives Paralyzed Veterans of America Corporate Leadership Award

September 26, 2008

Citing the organization’s nearly decade-long involvement in providing fishing opportunities for Americans with disabilities, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) presented BASS with its Corporate Leadership Award.

BASS Vice President and General Manager Tom Ricks accepted the award during the 2008 American Gala Thursday evening in Washington, D.C.

“The partnership we have created is based on a common ground,” said Ricks in accepting the award. “The missions of PVA and BASS and ESPN align rather closely. The PVA focuses on the enrichment of sports and recreation for paralyzed veterans, and both BASS and ESPN, to a broader audience, look to do the same.”

For nearly 10 years, BASS has partnered with the PVA to conduct bass fishing tournaments in which paralyzed veterans and other Americans with disabilities can compete. To date, nearly 3,000 anglers with disabilities have taken part in 44 tournaments, including some that qualify fishermen for the prestigious Bassmaster Classic.

With the assistance of BASS officials and members of affiliated bass clubs in the BASS Federation Nation, the PVA hosts a tournament trail with a season-long points race. The winner of the points race advances to the BASS Federation National Championship, to be held Nov. 6-8 on Milford Lake out of Junction City, Kan. The top anglers in each of six geographic divisions, including one in which the PVA angler competes, receive berths in next year’s Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport-Bossier City, La., Feb. 20-22.

PVA tournaments are covered by BASS multi-media platforms, including BASS Times, Bassmaster Magazine and http://www.Bassmaster.com.

Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America advocates quality healthcare and ample retirement benefits for armed forces veterans who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction. Its 2008 American Gala focused on the enrichment of sports and recreation for Paralyzed Veterans and other individuals with disabilities in expanding their quality of life.

Also receiving awards from the PVA were: Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, a highly decorated veteran who received the 2008 Congressional Award for his support of PVA initiatives and issues; U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana, the Public Service Award; and HOK Sport, the Sport and Design Leadership Award.

NASCAR legend Kyle Petty served as master of ceremonies for the event.

About BASS

For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences.

The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women's Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.

BASS also offers a wide array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.