Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
3rd Big Bass Tournament hooks sports scholarships
FAYETTEVILLE — Among the worst feelings children face while growing up is being picked last for a team. It can leave the unspoken but very obvious sense that the last one picked is the least valuable player.
Children in families that can’t afford sports equipment or team entry fees face a greater obstacle to that sense of belonging by not being able to play at all.
Pagnozzi Charities levels the playing field for those children. Through donations, the local nonprofit organization provides sports scholarships and opportunities for all children with an interest in sports, regardless of income and background.
“People just didn’t have the money to put their three children in recreational sports, whether it’s because they’re starting over or what, it’s really tough [financially] and nothing to be ashamed of at all,” says Clint Brannon, a longtime volunteer for Pagnozzi Charities. “We just help out and give equipment for the kids. They never miss a beat, they get out there and play as hard as they can.”
Started by Tom Pagnozzi, former St. Louis Cardinal and University of Arkansas coach, the organization has provided 5,000 scholarships over the years, 600 in the last year alone through benefits like golf tournaments and, most recently, competitive fishing.
Brannon, owner of Southern Trend Clothing Co. and a former Texas Rangers player, came up with the idea of a Big Bass Tournament as a fundraiser and has helped with the charitable event in past years.
“Fishermen love to fish, it doesn’t matter if it rains,” Brannon says. “They want to fish and a lot want to fish on the competitive level. If you can find a tournament with a reasonable entry fee with a large payout, [they’ll enter].”
The third annual Pagnozzi Charities Big Bass Tournament is exactly that, a competitive fishing competition. After paying a $60 entry fee, fishermen begin casting their lines on Beaver Lake at 7 a.m. There’s a maximum of two fishermen to a boat, and the competitors take their largest catches to Prairie Creek and Hickory Creek stops for hourly weigh-ins. Those with the largest bass will be awarded $300, $200 and $100 for first, second and third place, respectively. Overall largest catches will be awarded when the tournament concludes at 3 p.m.
Brannon says the event is a response to the volume of fishing tournaments in the area.
“There are other events on Beaver, but not that many,” he says. “There’s one or two. With a reasonable entry fee, what’s more, you know that even if you don’t win, that money is going back for a good cause.”
Competitors will have the chance to meet professional fishermen Rob Kilby of Hot Springs Ranger Boats, George Cochran and Larry Nixon. Kilby, who is part of the Fishing League Worldwide, will serve as master of ceremonies at this year’s event to announce the hourly winners.
Past years have seen winning bass average 4 or 5 pounds and each event brought 170 people to raise $9,000 for Pagnozzi Charities outreach. This year, officials hope to bring in more fishermen than ever and raise at least $10,000.
Brannon’s personal experiences in sports gave him dedication, structure and a way to relate to others. He says the Pagnozzi mission is important to him because he’d like other kids to have those opportunities while they’re growing up, too.
“With Tom and I being former athletes, we feel it’s our responsibility to give back to things that we’ve had, whether it’s coaching, or be- ing a mentor to kids,” he says. “Sports has a huge impact on young kids.
“It allows you to meet people, to be accountable, to get better as a person, teaches you to not be upset when you lose. The accountability and leadership that kids learn is just so important.”
This year’s tournament will take place from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday on Beaver Lake, with a final winnings ceremony at the Prairie Creek location. For more information, see pagnozzicharities.org or call (479) 443-2550.