BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As the 37th edition of the Bassmaster Classic got ready to take to the water Friday through Sunday on Lay Lake in Birmingham, Ala., the festivities continued during professional fishing’s most prestigious event Thursday at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Bassmaster Classic Media Day presented by Toyota at the BJCC was highlighted by a lunch prepared by champion barbeque chef Troy Black, an opportunity for the media to drive the new line of Toyota Tundras and a chance for the more than 200 credentialed working media to interview the Classic contenders.
Also during
Media Day, Advance Auto Parts unveiled its 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series
pro staff, which includes 2007 Classic contenders Gerald Swindle and
John Crews. Marty Stone, the 2005 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the
Year runner-up and also a member of the staff, joined Crews and Swindle
with Advance Auto Parts marketing director Sam Hampton in a short
presentation.
“I’m ready to get started,” said Swindle, the 2004 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, of the impending Classic. “I love the smell of that big Mercury idling in the morning before take-off. I’m ready to go!”
The daily Bassmaster Classic festivities featuring the afternoon weigh-in of the competitors in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex will have 10 ˝ hours of coverage on ESPN2 over the three-day event.
WBT NIGHT. The inaugural Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship began Thursday, but on Wednesday night the 12 pros and co-anglers who qualified for the groundbreaking event celebrated at a special reception in the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel.
“This was an excellent gesture by ESPN and BASS,” said WBT contender Pam Martin-Wells of Georgia. “It’s obvious that the companies really appreciate the WBT anglers.”
The event was attended by working members of the media, BASS General Manager Tom Ricks and many other BASS staff.
Two-time WBT event winner Tammy Richardson also was impressed with the event.
“This was great. It means a lot,” Arkansas’ Richardson said. “This whole thing is just a dream come true and this was a nice way to kick off the week.”
TOYOTA DRIVE. One of the most interactive exhibits at the ESPN Classic Expo presented by Under Armour will be provided by Toyota, which will introduce fishing fans to the all-new 2007 Tundra full-size pickup Friday through Sunday at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.
“The Prove-It Tour is not a traditional ride-and-drive like we’ve seen at previous Classics,” said Eric Lopez, BASS director of events. “There’s actually going to be an off-road course about three blocks from the venue.
“People will sign up in front of the convention center, drive a vehicle from the convention center to this lot and then experience the Tundra at its full off-road capacity. There will be hills and obstacles that they’ll drive through.”
The expo will be open the following hours:
Friday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. CT
MAYNE MAN. SportsCenter anchor Kenny Mayne was the emcee at the annual Bassmaster Elite Series Kickoff Dinner in the Sheraton on Wednesday night.
The full roster of 2007 Elite Series anglers were invited in addition to the 50 Bassmaster Classic pros. Highlights of the evening included a speech by new BASS general manager Tom Ricks and an acceptance speech by reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Michael Iaconelli.
“That’s the first time I have gone that fast in a boat,” said Mayne, who spent part of practice day with Iaconelli. “I really enjoyed my time here and I think the Classic is a fantastic event.”
WEB PRESENCE. The worldwide leader in sports is at it again. ESPN covers the Bassmaster Classic online at www.ESPNOutdoors.com with unprecedented depth and analysis from the front line. More than a dozen writers, reporters and photographers are delivering the Classic with constant updates to fans’ desktops.