Kentucky Adds Fishing To List Of High School Sports

[TheGangler]

Great idea.  Paragraph 2 sums it up well.
 

02/22/12 Lexington, KY - The Kentucky High School Athletics Association (KHSAA)
announced that they will sanction bass fishing as a varsity sport to be competed
for by the school membership of KHSAA.  They follow in the footsteps of Illinois
and Tennessee who have already taken these measures in their state.

Using  the groundwork already laid down by Illinois High School Athletics (IHSA),
Kentucky will be adding competition based upon teaching participants the
enjoyment of fishing and being in the outdoors but will also place emphasis on
the stewardship of Kentucky's waterways and other natural resources.

In a  press conference Commissioner Julian Tackett showed his pleasure in the decision
to add fishing as a sport, “To say we are excited to sponsor bass fishing as a
state championship sport-activity is an understatement,” said Tackett. “Not only
does it seem like a natural fit, given the number of Kentuckians of all ages who
enjoy fishing and the outdoors, but it also allows us to reach one more group of
students who may not already participate in an extra-curricular activity and
give them a chance to be a part of a team. Representing your school and your
community comes with great responsibility – keeping your grades up, staying out
of trouble and setting an example for others. Not only do we hope to reward
these students with a state championship event experience next year but we hope
it fosters a lifelong love of the sport.”

In conjunction with KHSAA  offering the sport at the high school level it was also announced that the very
popular Bluegrass State Games will also offer bass fishing as one of its
sporting events this summer.

“We are very excited to partner with Murray
State and FLW Outdoors to add high school fishing to the Bluegrass State Games,”
said Terry Johnson, Executive Director of the Bluegrass State Games,.“We provide
Kentuckians of all ages with a wide array of sports in which to compete and the
momentum high school fishing will gain as a result of its addition as a varsity
sport by the KHSAA makes it a natural fit.”

It seems that fishing in
Kentucky is not only alive and well but has a very bright future, thanks in no
small part to these two decisions announced by KHSAA and the Bluegrass State
Games.

http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/users/three-lions/blog/kentucky-adds-fishing-to-list-of-high-school-sports-208562.aspx
 
When I was in grade 7 in a very small community in Alberta we had a Hunter Education program.  It was a great course and it was taught by a guy who very passionate about the outdoors, hunting, fishing and conservation.  He was a very positive influence on many of us.
 
Edit:  oops, forgot the link.
 
     

[Pollock]

OK I guess, and while I'm sure this will rile up some folks on the site, I personally don't see the "sport" in fishing. It has about as much sport in it as golf does, but to each their own. Certainly if my area suggested the same change, I would not oppose it.

[Untamed Gorilla]

OK I guess, and while I'm sure this will rile up some folks on the site, I personally don't see the "sport" in fishing. It has about as much sport in it as golf does, but to each their own. Certainly if my area suggested the same change, I would not oppose it.

Have you ever been fishing or golfing before?

[Megraptor]

When my bf went to school, he took hunter's ed, not driver's ed. And he's 24.

Also, in the state of PA, you can substitute sports for gym class, if you kept track of the hours.

I did that, but I did it with equestrianism. Some did it with hunting and fishing. Interestingly, our principle would not allow ice hockey to sub. It wasn't the state, it was the principle...

Oh, and my high school had a golf team.

[Untamed Gorilla]

Hockey is a good sport wonder why it wouldnt count. 

[Medium Rare]

Hockey does count as a sport, but down South, not as many people ice skate. Unfortunately, schools have a limited budget, so this makes it difficult to spend money on a sport that may not even get enough people to play.

[Untamed Gorilla]

It is a rich kid sport, except in MN where its really big and a part of the culture.

[Fenris]

Fishing and Golf are great! This thread reminded me that I have to go get a fishing license so I can take my not so patient kid with me fishing and teach him how to do it. I'd do the same for golf this year.... but I don't trust him with a golf club... not after that one incident. Hockey is a big go next winter. I'm definitely not rich but he absolutely loves the sport! We played a little game with my cousins this winter, they're all hockey players. It was great.

[Megraptor]

They didn't count it cause it was "too dangerous"... Which sucks, cause I like Hockey... And I live in the North... Northern Pennsylvania to be exact.

[Untamed Gorilla]

LaCrosse is the quintessential rich kid sport.

[Medium Rare]

LaCrosse is the quintessential rich kid sport.

That and polo.

[Untamed Gorilla]

What LaCrosse players lack in athleticism they make for with their good looks, great hair, and daddies money.

[Megraptor]

lol polo. Never played it, almost got forced to. I hated the equestrian world. Full of rich snobs. I let my mom deal with it, she has 30+ horses. I have one, my little horse from my showing days that won't show anytime soon .

I always disliked the Lacrosse players.... Just really rude and always hit on me :/

[Pollock]

OK I guess, and while I'm sure this will rile up some folks on the site, I personally don't see the "sport" in fishing. It has about as much sport in it as golf does, but to each their own. Certainly if my area suggested the same change, I would not oppose it.

Have you ever been fishing or golfing before?

Yes, both. The only fishing that to me required effort was fly fishing. Regular fresh water fishing from a boat, not so much effort. Now, that being said, I've never done it in a competition, so the effort required in competition may be different. Certainly deep sea fishing requires effort, but usually only when you're in a chair or have fish on, unless you captain you're own boat.

Golf I've played plenty. Beyond sweating a bunch (summers here are hot), it's really not hard, even without a golf cart. Especially when you can call on the beer cart girl for refreshments.

[Untamed Gorilla]

Golf isnt hard. Since when?  Itss incredibly skillfull.  Could you drive a ball 300 yards and keep it between the fair rough?