Tournament presented by Budweiser;
Event has reached its 25th year

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - It's been 25 years since then-Tennessee Tech football coach Jim Ragland created a fishing tournament that would not only be fun and competitive, but also serve as an important fund raising event for the Golden Eagle football squad.

With the support of generous sponsors and eager fishermen throughout the years, the event has grown into one of the most popular springtime fishing events in the region. This year, celebrating it's 25th season, the Jim Ragland Golden Eagle Bass Classic, presented by Budweiser and hosted by the Tennessee Tech football program, will be held on Saturday, May 7. The event will be held at Ragland Bottom at Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tenn., and will kick off at 6 a.m

Registration is underway for the tournament, with registration date determining starting positions.

There will be a variety of prizes awarded throughout the day, including more than $10,000 in prize money. The first place winner will take home $4,000 and second place is rewarded with $1,500 in prize money. A giant bass side pot will also be awarded.

There is an entry fee of $160 per two-person boat. Boats will be sent out in one of eight flights.

The 2011 tournament is co-sponsored by The Country Giant and Celina-Overton County Cable.

The team of Chris and Josh Tramell of Smithville captured first place in last year's tournament, which featured a field of 90 boats on the lake. The winning team weighed in with 22.66 pounds, edging out the team of Tim and Delmer Wyatt of Crossville, which had 22.19 pounds in its five-fish haul. The big fish winners were Terry Steele of Sparta and Adam Wagner of Cookeville, with a top weight of 6.29 pounds.

“Everybody involved seemed to have a great time,” said TTU football coach Watson Brown. “We had great participation and excellent support from our sponsors, which make this such a successful event.”

For more information or to register for the tournament, please contact the Tennessee Tech Bass Tournament Hot Line at 931-372-3930.