The Bassmaster Classic will make its second stop in Shreveport in 2012, BASS announced today. The 42nd Classic is scheduled for Feb. 24-26, and will come on the heels of the 2011 championship slated for New Orleans.
The Classic first landed in Shreveport in 2009, when California’s Skeet Reese took the title.
“BASS is excited about returning in 2012 to Louisiana and Shreveport-Bossier City for the Bassmaster Classic…, BASS Vice President and General Manager Tom Ricks said. “We’re pleased to partner again with the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority in bringing fans worldwide another blockbuster Bassmaster Classic.”
The Shreveport Regional Sports Authority was host to the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, which broke several attendance records for the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“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.”
Louisiana BASS Federation Nation President Kevin Gaubert said he was ecstatic about the announcement.
“What a great opportunity for our state, our Federation Nation organization – and what could be a better compliment for our fisheries?” Gaubert said. “Louisiana has everything to offer to make this a spectacular event. I may be a little biased, 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.
Local sponsors of the 2012 Bassmaster Classic: The City of Shreveport; Bossier City; Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau; Caddo Parish; Bossier Parish; the State of Louisiana; the Shreveport Regional Sports Authority.