Morgenthaler, Special Olympics Join Forces for Benefit Bass Tournament in Illinois
NORMAL, Ill. – Professional bass fisherman Chad Morgenthaler is teaming up with Special Olympics Illinois and the Law Enforcement Torch Run to host the 5th Annual Chad Morgenthaler Bass Tournament presented by Jasper Engines & Transmissions on Aug. 28 at Rend Lake in southern Illinois.
The tournament is a buddy team format, with a Beat the Pro fishing contest and chances to win great prizes. Morgenthaler and other Professional Anglers Association pros will participate.
“I urge all my friends in the PAA – the anglers, sponsors and members – to support the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois by fishing the tournament, supporting the tournament or donating products as prizes,” said Morgenthaler, who lives in Coulterville, Ill.
The tournament is limited to the first 150 boats to register. Entry is $175 per boat if registered by 5 p.m. Aug. 20 which includes entry into the Big Bass pot. Entry fee is $200 per boat for those who register after 5 p.m. Aug. 20. Each angler receives a T-shirt and goodie bag full of tackle.
More than $100,000 was raised in the first four years of the tournament.
Pro anglers, tournament sponsors and auction items are still needed. Auction items may be sent to: Jeff Henson, Special Olympics Illinois, 605 E. Willow St., Normal, IL 61761.
Tournament registration is 3-5:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Rend Lake Resort, the official housing site for the tournament. A pre-tournament meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the resort. The meeting includes dinner, an auction of great fishing items and a meet and greet with the pro anglers. Rend Lake Sailboat Harbor is the launch site for the tournament.
Anglers and companies interested in getting involved may contact Henson at 800-394-0562or email him at jhenson@soill.org.
Morgenthaler, 43, is a three-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and has several FLW Top 10 tournament finishes. He became involved with Special Olympics Illinois in 2005 when he donated a day-long fishing trip as part of an online auction sponsored by the organization. Special Olympics athletes were on hand at Crab Orchard Lake in southern Illinois to see Morgenthaler and the auction winner begin their fishing trip. That experience led to Morgenthaler’s interest in hosting a charity tournament for the organization.
“I was inspired by the courage and enthusiasm shown by the Special Olympics athletes,” he said. “After talking more with Special Olympics Illinois, we agreed a fishing tournament would be an exciting way to introduce the organization and its athletes to a previously untapped audience of fishermen.”
Chad Morgenthaler, 43, has been a professional bass fisherman since 2002. He is sponsored by Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Phoenix Boats, Lunker Lure – Hawg Caller, Svanda GM Motor Group, Solar Bat, Power-Pole, Nameoki Village Marine, Plano Tackle, Minn Kota, Element 21 Fishing, Optima Batteries, Fishouflage, U.S. Reel, Humminbird, Line & Lure, BTS Protectant and El Grande Lures.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 4,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics changes lives by empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.
The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fund-raising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. The intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and increase public awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics. Each year, more than 3,000 officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games in Normal in June.
