June 19, 2018 by FLW
As part of its Big Blue Caravan Tour, the University of Kentucky Athletics Department, led by UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, paid a visit to the FLW operations division headquarters in Benton, Ky., on Monday. Barnhart was joined by several members of the UK Athletics Department staff.
FLW employees provided a tour of the operations division office and some history of FLW and its role in the growth of competitive bass fishing. The tour included a walk down the Forrest Wood Cup “hall of champions,” where a photo of every Cup winner is on showcase, a special Forrest L. Wood display, and the “FLW Live” studio.
“Everyone at FLW had a wonderful time meeting the staff of the Kentucky Wildcats Athletics Department and providing a glimpse into the world of professional bass fishing,” says Kathy Fennel, FLW president of operations. “I think most of them were very surprised at just how big the sport of bass fishing is, not only in Kentucky, but across the world. For most of them, this was their first introduction to the sport, though of course, several of them were familiar with FLW angler Jimmy Houston. The visit was a great experience, and a great opportunity for people in the Marshall County community, where everyone bleeds UK blue.”
The Big Blue Caravan is an outreach effort led by Barnhart that includes a five-day tour of communities within Kentucky. The stop at Marshall County on Monday was the first of the trip, which runs June 18-22. It included a public appearance at Marshall County High School, where people in the community were invited to visit with Barnhart, as well as student-athletes, UK Athletics Department staff, basketball coach John Calipari and football coach Mark Stoops.
“The connection our university and athletics department share with this state and its people is truly unique,” said Barnhart in a statement regarding the Big Blue Caravan. “That connection has always been central to our identity, but we have made it a priority to find ways to further honor and strengthen it. We look forward to seeing friends in these five communities and meeting many more.”
Other communities on the tour include Madisonville, Elizabethtown, Somerset and Pikeville.
Here are a few more photos from the visit:
