The JWC was something to be witnessed by all. I am not going to go into much detail due to the page that will be coming up on the website, but all I can say is WOW! For those of you that have not got the chance to volunteer for a junior event, you're missing something special. I stress to all of you that you need to get more involved with the youth program. Research shows that 99% of today's anglers fish because someone took the time to get them started at a young age. I am asking all OBFN members to repay the favor, take a junior fishing this year and help ensure the future of our great sport.

Dylan Matheis stepped to the plate swinging for the MBCF. Dylan walked away with a 6th place finish overall. Dylan’s accomplishments at the JWC earned him $2000 worth of college scholarships that will help him ensure a great future. Great job Dylan, we're proud of you!

Okay, I don't mind telling everyone that I am wore out! January had me attending the Nationals for 8 days only to follow up with attending the classic of 12 days. Meetings, meetings and more meetings! It's all good though! I am learning some great things that will help the MBCF continue in the right direction. Our New Youth Director Barry Narrin was not able to attend so I filled in for him. From my eyes, the YD's have a different attitude than most of the presidents. The overall goal of the YD's is solely based on just one thing, the youth and growing the youth program as a whole nation, not just in their state. The leadership role of Stacy Twiggs unites the directors and allows them to focus not only on a state level but on the national level as well. Mr. Twiggs is an excellent leader and he leads his troops by example, not just by orders. Stacy's passion and commitment towards the junior program radiates into exactly why the BASS youth program will continue to be untouched by any other fishing organization.

During the week long meetings, we had the chance to hear some great speakers. Not just from BASS and the national sponsors, but from ESPN itself about the future of BASS and the Nation. ESPN has shown their commitment to BASS and the Nation not just verbally but in many different ways. Just exactly how? Lets start with the Classic, six full hours of Classic coverage. Yes, maybe it was not shown live or on prime time but that is exactly why we had six hours of coverage! The same coverage will air again in March at a different time slot. Live web cast coverage of the whole weigh-in. For those of you who watched, I heard it was great. The Bassmaster website is another form of ESPN's commitment. The Bassmaster website is moving to ESPN Outdoors so that the Nation will have the front page of Bassmasters, giving us their full attention for web coverage. Also the decision to move the Nationals to the fall so that ESPN can cover more of the event for national broadcast. More air time means more sponsor dollars! More sponsor dollars means higher payouts! Over $60K just at the Divisional, I believe that is what the Nation leaders asked for and they got it!

I hate to use the same wording twice in my address but I can't think of a better term. Leading by example! That is exactly what the MBCF is doing by involving the membership in all our decisions. When the leaders of an organization are not afraid of a little hard work then the membership in that organization become dedicated to work just as hard. That's exactly what I am witnessing in the MBCF. Everyone involved should be proud of themselves for their commitment to strengthen the MBCF. I believe that it was JFK that said "one person can make a difference" and that is exactly why I am asking for every member to reach out to someone outside of the organization and tell them about the MBCF and what we stand for. I know it's hard to share a bite of your favorite cake but it's time we set the wheels in motion and be vocal about what we have built as a whole!