Ball State has cast a new club to lure in bass fishers.
The Bass Club, one of several new clubs this year, will allow its members to compete in fishing tournaments.
The club will have a call-out from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Scramble Light.
"It's a chance to get out and fish," said Craig Rogers, junior and co-organizer. "Most college students don't have enough money to own a boat, and through this they'll get to go out on a boat," said Craig Rogers, junior and co-organizer.
Rogers and the other co-organizer, Matt Raynor -- who have both been fishing since they were kids -- started organizing the club last January, Raynor said.
"Indiana is a hotbed for collegiate bass fishing," Raynor said. "I saw the success of IU and Purdue, and it made me envious."
Raynor said competitions called paper tournaments will initially be held within the club.
Students will go out in groups of two or three for a day, and points will be awarded by the weight of the fish, Raynor said.
"Paper tournaments are for fun," Raynor said. "They're easy to do and easy for us as a new club."
Eventually, the club will compete in tournaments with other colleges.
"We wouldn't compete for the Big 10 Championship, but we would like to get to the point where we compete against IU," Raynor said.
Only the top five to eight members would attend tournaments with other schools, he said.
Rank is given based on a point system. Members can earn points through paper tournaments, attending meetings and participating in fund-raising events, Raynor said.
By using the point system, Raynor said, members who aren't the best fishers can still compete against other colleges, and it will encourage members to get involved in the club.
"This club will be successful through the hard work of members," Raynor said.
Raynor will hold meetings about once a month throughout the year and tournaments during the fall and spring.
Keynote speakers and campus clean-up activities are also a possibility, he said.
Raynor said the club is being modeled after those at Indiana and Purdue universities.
And Rogers said he would like to eventually set up a competition with either Wabash College or I.U.
Assistant News Editor Teresa Auch can be reached at news@bsudailynews.com
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