Elite “Angel” Anglers

Young anglers from Boys & Girls Clubs in communities across the United States will be “living the dream” when they team up with Bassmaster Elite Series professional anglers August 2, 2008, during the 2008 Empire Chase in Buffalo, N.Y. The Foundation and BASS/ESPN Outdoors have joined efforts to create this unique opportunity for Club youth to fish with Elite Series professional anglers.

The Future Fisherman Foundation, the angling education arm of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), is in its second year of a partnership with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Law Enforcement and Youth Partnerships for Crime Prevention to implement a national program that brings fishing and aquatic education to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country through the Future Fisherman Foundation’s Hooked on Fishing–Not on Drugs® program. The program focuses on engaging youth in positive activities that collaborate with and support local law enforcement efforts to help prevent crime in America by strengthening relationships between youth and law enforcement. Each Club selected its youth participants based on solid leadership, good behavior and demonstrated angling skills.

“These 40 young anglers represent the hundreds of youth who are a participating in this national effort to reconnect youth with nature. It is wonderful to watch them grow and develop their fishing skills, especially when they are out on the water with these “Angel Anglers” from the Bassmaster Elite Tour,” said Future Fisherman Foundation Executive Director Anne Danielski. “More importantly, they are developing self confidence and a true love of the outdoors and the water.” The “Angel Anglers” are a group of professional anglers who routinely give of their time and on-the-water experience to introduce young people to fishing.

Danielski noted, “I also want to thank BASS, Gemini Sport Marketing, Shakespeare, ZEBCO Brands, Plano Molding Company, FISHHER, TTI Blakemore Fishing Group, BoatU.S.Angler, Erie County Bassmasters and New York Sea Grant for their generous contributions of equipment in support of this program.”

“We are proud to be a part of this program,” said Janet Bell, ESPN’s Athlete Relations director. “Our anglers love to fish with these children and we all recognize how important it is to connect America’s youth to the outdoors and especially to fishing.”

Anglers of Tomorrow

The Under Armour College Bass National Championship, the nation’s most prestigious collegiate bass fishing tournament, today announced the launch of their new, community-focused initiative to be held on July 7, prior to the start of the 2008 championship. Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar will allow local youth to learn from the country’s top young anglers at a free fishing and conservation clinic taught by the collegiate competitors themselves.

“The Under Armour College Bass National Championship was created as a way to promote bass fishing at the college level and increase interest in the sport,” said Steve Levi, general manager of fishing properties at Career Sports & Entertainment, the agency that owns the CBNC. “By pairing collegiate anglers with even younger fans of fishing, we have the chance to instill in kids a love for the outdoors at an early age.”

Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar will make its debut on Monday, July 7 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Academy Sports + Outdoors in Little Rock (11400 West Markham). Ages seven and up are welcome and all attendees will receive a goodie bag and a photo with the anglers upon completion. The collegiate anglers will also be joined by Costa Del Mar Elite Series Pros Jason Quinn, Kevin Short and Todd Faircloth, who will be on hand to sign autographs and hold a drawing for a free pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses.

In addition, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Black Bass Program will be on hand to display their 1,000 gallon Mobile Aquarium to showcase the black bass and other Arkansas freshwater species. The AGFC is partnering with the Under Armour College Bass National Championship to supply a live release boat and fish care life support system for each day of the event.

Now in its fourth year, the Under Armour College Bass National Championship has become the nation’s most prestigious collegiate tournament for bass fishing. This year’s event will feature approximately 56 teams representing colleges and universities across the United States and will air on ESPNU later this summer.

To attend Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar, RSVP to Melanie Jarrett at mjarrett@careersports.com. For more information and upcoming announcements visit www.CollegeBass.com.

Anglers of Tomorrow presented by Costa Del Mar

When: Monday, July 7 from 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Where: Academy Sports + Outdoors

11400 West Markham
Little Rock, Ark. 72211

Who: Local youth (free admission)

About the Under Armour College Bass National Championship:

Created in 2004, the Under Armour College Bass National Championship has quickly evolved into the most prestigious collegiate championship for bass fishing. This year’s event will feature approximately 56 teams representing colleges across the United States. The 2008 event will be televised on ESPNU this summer.

Sponsors of the 2008 Under Armour College Bass National Championship include Under Armour, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Strike King, Costa Del Mar, Motorguide, Triton Boats, Mercury and Falcon Rods.

About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand’s moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate to provide a performance alternative to traditional natural fiber products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe. The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.underarmour.com.