Earlier this year, Emmanuel signed three varsity anglers to the inaugural intercollegiate Bass Fishing team which is set to begin competing in Fall 2019.
Alex Saxon and Kollin Smith of Franklin County and Matthew Benson of Oconee County inked with the Lions on January 29 at the Shaw Athletic Center.
How did the idea for a Bass Fishing team at Emmanuel come about?
“I had a few local high school kids and their parents show interest,” Interim Head Coach, Elaine Saxon said. “They wanted to stay local for school and take their fishing to the collegiate level.”
Alex Saxon and Kollin Smith of Franklin County and Matthew Benson of Oconee County inked with the Lions on January 29 at the Shaw Athletic Center.
How did the idea for a Bass Fishing team at Emmanuel come about?
“I had a few local high school kids and their parents show interest,” Interim Head Coach, Elaine Saxon said. “They wanted to stay local for school and take their fishing to the collegiate level.”
Elaine took this interest and presented the idea to Athletic Director Nate Moorman who was on board from the start. Over the next few weeks, they began to collect data to show enrollment potential and researched how the program would fit our region.
Once the program was approved, Assistant Athletic Director of Communication, Lance Miller created an interest query that was posted to the Georgia Bass Nation for High Schoolers website along with Emmanuel’s Athletic Website and social media pages.
“We got a lot of interest,” Elaine said. “We asked the basics, graduation year, test scores, do you have a boat? We immediately started getting a lot of responses and were able to put together a three-year funnel report based on graduation dates.”
For Elaine, signing day was a special occasion as both a coach and mom.
“It was amazing,” she said. Anytime a high schooler gets to sign, it’s exciting for them and their family, but for me to be a part of it, it was a wonderful experience to be able to offer the sport they’re passionate about and see their dream come true in real life. It’s unexplainable.
Once the program was approved, Assistant Athletic Director of Communication, Lance Miller created an interest query that was posted to the Georgia Bass Nation for High Schoolers website along with Emmanuel’s Athletic Website and social media pages.
“We got a lot of interest,” Elaine said. “We asked the basics, graduation year, test scores, do you have a boat? We immediately started getting a lot of responses and were able to put together a three-year funnel report based on graduation dates.”
For Elaine, signing day was a special occasion as both a coach and mom.
“It was amazing,” she said. Anytime a high schooler gets to sign, it’s exciting for them and their family, but for me to be a part of it, it was a wonderful experience to be able to offer the sport they’re passionate about and see their dream come true in real life. It’s unexplainable.
Why should varsity anglers join this inaugural team?
“The athletic experience at Emmanuel has always been special for our student-athletes and now we can offer that experience to our anglers,” Elaine said. “They get to do what they love and get an amazing college athletic experience. I think our program is going to be very competitive and that we’ll set ourselves a part. We’ve set the bar high, and I believe anglers will be glad they chose us.”
The team will practice mainly on Lake Hartwell because of its proximity and will compete in the Carhardt series which consists of competition on the east coast.
“The athletic experience at Emmanuel has always been special for our student-athletes and now we can offer that experience to our anglers,” Elaine said. “They get to do what they love and get an amazing college athletic experience. I think our program is going to be very competitive and that we’ll set ourselves a part. We’ve set the bar high, and I believe anglers will be glad they chose us.”
The team will practice mainly on Lake Hartwell because of its proximity and will compete in the Carhardt series which consists of competition on the east coast.
Matthew Benson views this opportunity as a dream come true.
“I’ve always loved fishing and to be able to do it in college and make new friends that’s the icing on the top,” Matthew said. “I chose Emmanuel College because it is a smaller college and it’s Christian-based, that’s the number one priority in my life.”
Where can varsity anglers go to find more information about Emmanuel’s newest NCAA DII sport?
“On the EC Athletics website (goeclions.com) there is a “Recruit Me” tab, we have posted the Interest Query that we sent out there,” Elaine said. “Once you’ve filled that out, be sure to get on our email list as we’ll be emailing out information.”
“I’ve always loved fishing and to be able to do it in college and make new friends that’s the icing on the top,” Matthew said. “I chose Emmanuel College because it is a smaller college and it’s Christian-based, that’s the number one priority in my life.”
Where can varsity anglers go to find more information about Emmanuel’s newest NCAA DII sport?
“On the EC Athletics website (goeclions.com) there is a “Recruit Me” tab, we have posted the Interest Query that we sent out there,” Elaine said. “Once you’ve filled that out, be sure to get on our email list as we’ll be emailing out information.”