Elite Pro's Raising Money For St. Jude

Pictured: Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chris Groh is auctioning off a tournament jersey as part of fundraising efforts for the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic, an annual event benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Photo by B.A.S.S.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Enthusiastic bass fishing fans still have time to win autographed jerseys from Bassmaster Elite Series pros Chris Groh and Carl Jocumsen while helping to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The anglers donated signed tournament jerseys that are being auctioned off on eBay, with all of the proceeds benefiting St. Jude. Last year, fellow Elite Series angler Seth Feider’s signed jersey pulled-in more than $1,000.

The jersey auction is part of the fundraising efforts for the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic, held annually in Minnesota. Now in its 22nd year, this tournament has raised more than $3.8 million for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All proceeds from this event will benefit St. Jude, where families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.

Angler Glenn Walker is part of the tournament’s organizing committee, and started the auction seven years ago as part of his personal fundraising efforts for the event. Last year, Walker and his team raised over $11,000.

“As a tournament angler, I already knew several pros and crossed paths with others who wanted to support the tournament and St. Jude,” said Walker. “With the support of these great guys, every year more anglers from the various pro circuits want to contribute.”

Other Bassmaster Elite Series anglers who have donated items for this on-going auction include Jason Williamson, Jeff Gustafson, Clark Wendlandt, Chad Pipkens, Cory Johnston, Patrick Walters and Keith Combs.

“We appreciate the work Glenn does in working with the anglers and giving us the opportunity to do something special for St. Jude,” said Groh.

Bidding on Groh’s jersey ends Wednesday, Dec. 18, while the auction runs until Sunday, Dec. 22 for Jocumsen’s tournament jersey. Interested anglers can learn more about the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic and register for the tournament, being held May 1-3, 2020, by visiting Fundraising.stjude.org/dickhileybassclassic.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.