BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation are now accepting nominations for the prestigious C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award, which honors a B.A.S.S. member who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to serving underprivileged communities. This includes individuals who have made a significant impact by helping special needs children, veterans, abuse survivors, and others facing life challenges.
The award recognizes members of the B.A.S.S. community who go beyond their passion for fishing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Whether through organizing charitable fishing events, mentoring youth, supporting military veterans, or advocating for underserved populations, nominees embody the spirit of compassion and service that this award seeks to celebrate.
A Legacy of Service: Jay Yelas on the Award’s Meaning
Jay Yelas, a former Bassmaster Elite Series angler and the current Executive Director of C.A.S.T. for Kids, understands the importance of this award firsthand. With an impressive career that includes 16 Bassmaster Classic appearances, a 2002 Classic victory at Lay Lake, and the 2003 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, Yelas has seamlessly transitioned from professional angling to community leadership.
“The significance of the award is it recognizes and honors all the B.A.S.S. members that do such a tremendous amount of community service and humanitarian work,” Yelas said. “Unfortunately, there’s only one winner each year, but there are thousands of tremendous individuals that serve less-fortunate populations and they really give back.
“That’s what this award is all about; it brings awareness to this (segment) of the B.A.S.S. membership. Most of the attention is given to the people that win or excel at tournament fishing, but this award is like a time-out that says, ‘Hey guys, there’s a lot of other people that are members of B.A.S.S. besides hard-core tournament fishermen.’ That speaks volumes to the nature of people that are B.A.S.S. members.”
Yelas also compared the award to similar honors in professional sports, emphasizing its importance in the fishing world.
“Baseball has the Roberto Clemente Award, the NFL has the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award; this is fishing’s version of those honors. It’s a great way to honor people of character within the organization.”
Recognizing Past Winners & Their Impact
The 2024 recipient of the C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award was Jake Klopfenstein of Tampa, Florida, who was recognized for his dedication to pediatric cancer patients. Through his organization, Angling for Relief, Klopfenstein has provided fishing opportunities to children battling cancer, offering them a therapeutic escape and a chance to experience the joys of fishing.
Chase Anderson, CEO of B.A.S.S. and C.A.S.T. for Kids board member, underscored the significance of the award in uniting the B.A.S.S. community around a shared mission of service.
“We are privileged to have collaborated with the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation for several years. Recognizing a devoted B.A.S.S. member with this Humanitarian award is our way of celebrating the incredible community that stands united under the B.A.S.S. shield. Witnessing the impactful contributions of those nominated is truly inspiring and showcases the profound influence their efforts have on countless lives.”
Nomination Details & How to Apply
Nominations for the 2025 C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award are now open and will be accepted until February 24, 2025. Any active B.A.S.S. member engaged in outstanding humanitarian or community service efforts is eligible.
To submit a nomination, visit Bassmaster.com/award and fill out the official nomination form. A panel comprised of representatives from B.A.S.S. and the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation will carefully review all submissions, verifying the humanitarian work of each nominee.
While C.A.S.T. for Kids focuses on providing fishing experiences for special needs children, this award extends beyond fishing and recognizes any B.A.S.S. member who is making a meaningful impact in their community.
Announcement & Recognition
The recipient of the 2025 C.A.S.T. for Kids B.A.S.S. Humanitarian Award will be officially announced during the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour, scheduled to take place March 21-23 in Fort Worth, Texas. The award will be presented in front of a national audience, highlighting the importance of humanitarian efforts within the fishing community.
For additional information, visit Bassmaster.com/award or contact B.A.S.S. representatives for nomination assistance.
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About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, 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 organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
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