DUE WEST, SC -- Director of Athletics Mark Peeler announced the addition of collegiate bass fishing as a competitive sport, beginning in the fall of 2019.

"Collegiate bass fishing is an excellent fit for Erskine," said Peeler. "We are geographically sitting in a hotspot of fishing. We have so many large lakes nearby and so many anglers out on those lakes pursuing their passion. It is logical to add this to our sport offerings."

Students competing for Erskine in collegiate bass fishing will compete in nationally recognized tournaments, such as the FLW College Series and the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, which culminates each year with the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championships in the spring. The program will be sufficiently funded by the College and scholarships will be available, ensuring that team members have the opportunity to be competitive in every tournament.

"We expect nothing different from our Collegiate Bass Fishing team than what we do from our other sports. We expect "The Fleet Way" to shine through this program," said Peeler. "As with every other sport we offer, we will use bass fishing to reinforce our Christ-centered values and fulfill our mission of preparing students to be whole persons."

While over 600 college bass fishing teams exist in the United States, most operate as a student club. Erskine's bass fishing team operated as a student club this past year.  By now offering scholarship opportunities and providing institutional funding, Erskine will differentiate itself from the vast majority of the other teams.

Peeler also announced that recent graduate Ryan Teems will be the program's first head coach. Teems was integral in creating and operating the club this past year.

"I am excited Ryan has accepted the challenge to lead this program in its inaugural campaign. He definitely has the passion and energy to take our collegiate bass fishing program to a high level. Ryan strongly believes in the mission of Erskine and I know he will recruit the type of young people who will flourish in this environment," commented Peeler.