The Bassmaster Classic will return to "Sportsman's Paradise" in 2012, BASS announced today. The event will be held Feb. 24-26, 2012, on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La., as the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority welcomes the prestigious event for the second time in four years - the fifth Classic to be held in Louisiana.
The birthplace of careers for legendary musicians including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., Kitty Wells and Slim Whitman, Shreveport-Bossier City added more legend to its lore with its historic first Bassmaster Classic one year ago: The 2009 Classic was the first Classic in which a woman participated. Kim Bain-Moore qualified via her 2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year title. She finished 47th among the 51 competitors in the 2009 Classic.
The Shreveport Regional Sports Authority was host to the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, which broke several attendance records for the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo.
"Shreveport-Bossier City is ecstatic to once again host the fabulous Bassmaster Classic," said Mary Ann Tice, executive director of the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. "Our community thoroughly enjoyed and was extremely proud being the host of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic and will once again wrap the arms of our community around the Classic. Our visitors and will again produce a record-breaking Bassmaster Classic!
"The Sports Authority is proud to be a partner with ESPN/BASS and the Classic sponsors, and we obviously love the anglers and welcome them with open arms back to the Mighty Red River and the Crown Jewel of Sportsman's Paradise, Shreveport-Bossier City."
Said Tom Ricks, vice president & general manager, BASS: "BASS is excited about returning in 2012 to Louisiana and Shreveport-Bossier City for the Bassmaster Classic, the world's most prestigious fishing event. We're pleased to partner again with the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority in bringing fans worldwide another blockbuster Bassmaster Classic."
"What a great opportunity for our state, our Federation Nation organization - and what could be a better compliment for our fisheries?" said Kevin Gaubert, president, Louisiana BASS Federation Nation. "We are pleased to be the host site once again for the world's greatest fishing event.
"Louisiana has everything to offer to make this a spectacular event. I may be a little bias, but nothing can beat our food, our history, our hospitality and our fishing. I would like to invite everyone to come down, so mark your calendars and plan on attending the most exciting fishing events ever."
Launches on the Red River through the three days of competition in 2012 will be from Red River South Marina in Bossier City, La. The Shreveport Regional Sports Authority will roll out the red carpet for Classic weigh-ins at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City. The 2012 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo will be at the Shreveport Convention Center.
Those interested in volunteering at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport-Bossier City should call BASS at 1-877-BASS-USA.