College Championship: Sponsor Night at Bemidji

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Practice has come to a close and teams gathered on Bemidji State's campus for Sponsor Night before getting the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops started on Thursday morning.
Practice has come to a close and teams gathered on Bemidji State’s campus for Sponsor Night before getting the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops started on Thursday morning.
Anglers were lined up outside of the building as goodies and dinner awaited them inside.
Anglers were lined up outside of the building as goodies and dinner awaited them inside.
Carhartt has supported the College Series as the title sponsor and this year is no different. They had a couple different hat styles to choose from.
Carhartt has supported the College Series as the title sponsor and this year is no different. They had a couple different hat styles to choose from.
As well as shirts!
As well as shirts!
2017 Geico Bassmaster Classic Champion Jordan Lee was there greeting anglers. He was in their shoes a few short years ago and is now near the top of the sport.
2017 Geico Bassmaster Classic Champion Jordan Lee was there greeting anglers. He was in their shoes a few short years ago and is now near the top of the sport.
Toyota brought Bonus Bucks info and towels for the anglers.
Toyota brought Bonus Bucks info and towels for the anglers.
Josh Bertrand and Justin Lucas were at the Berkley table handing out the new Max Scent baits that came out at ICAST.
Josh Bertrand and Justin Lucas were at the Berkley table handing out the new Max Scent baits that came out at ICAST.
They also had decals and the new FireLine.
They also had decals and the new FireLine.
Berkley also had packs of hooks for anglers to snag.
Berkley also had packs of hooks for anglers to snag.
Humminbird was showing off their Solix unit that took Best in Show at ICAST.
Humminbird was showing off their Solix unit that took Best in Show at ICAST.
Pick a hat, any hat.
Pick a hat, any hat.
Yamaha had some lids for anglers as well.
Yamaha had some lids for anglers as well.
Time to find a seat and get some grub.
Time to find a seat and get some grub.
Lowrance was showing off their Carbon units.
Lowrance was showing off their Carbon units.
Shimano had a pitch it program, which rewards teams for taking old soft plastics and putting them in a bag instead of throwing them
Shimano had a pitch it program, which rewards teams for taking old soft plastics and putting them in a bag instead of throwing them
Phoenix brought some goodies and also provided three of the four College Bracket boats that will be used next week.
Phoenix brought some goodies and also provided three of the four College Bracket boats that will be used next week.
Mustang gave away life jackets and sun gloves to lucky anglers.
Mustang gave away life jackets and sun gloves to lucky anglers.
This plaque will go to the College Classic Bracket angler that takes the title.
This plaque will go to the College Classic Bracket angler that takes the title.
Robby Troje of local Bemidji State got hooked up with a replacement Helix 9 just in time for this event.
Robby Troje of local Bemidji State got hooked up with a replacement Helix 9 just in time for this event.
Dinner is served...
Dinner is served…
...and Josh Butts digs in, but makes sure to protect his jersey from any kind of spills.
…and Josh Butts digs in, but makes sure to protect his jersey from any kind of spills.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon acknowledged all the tournament winners for the College Series in 2017.
Tournament Director Hank Weldon acknowledged all the tournament winners for the College Series in 2017.
Then he took to the stage to introduce guests and speakers.
Then he took to the stage to introduce guests and speakers.
Three anglers took home rods from St. Croix.
Three anglers took home rods from St. Croix.
JT Russell was also awarded a Shimano combo after winning the flip off at Pro Night.
JT Russell was also awarded a Shimano combo after winning the flip off at Pro Night.
Lance Freeman enjoys a lot of hats.
Lance Freeman enjoys a lot of hats.
Nolan Minor, freshman from West Virginia takes in all the twists and turns of a College Championship.
Nolan Minor, freshman from West Virginia takes in all the twists and turns of a College Championship.
Justin Lucas welcomes the anglers and gives them a last second pep talk. And also lets them in on a secret...all the anglers received an Abu Garcia Vendetta rod and Revo X reel after the meeting concluded. Thanks Abu Garcia!
Justin Lucas welcomes the anglers and gives them a last second pep talk. And also lets them in on a secret…all the anglers received an Abu Garcia Vendetta rod and Revo X reel after the meeting concluded. Thanks Abu Garcia!
John Berry of Tennessee Tech listens to every word from Lucas.
John Berry of Tennessee Tech listens to every word from Lucas.
Then 2017 Classic Champion Jordan Lee takes the stage.
Then 2017 Classic Champion Jordan Lee takes the stage.
A few years ago he almost won the National Championship, but went on to take the College Classic Bracket title.
A few years ago he almost won the National Championship, but went on to take the College Classic Bracket title.
Nathan Bell and his partner Cole Sands won the East Regional on Cherokee Lake in May.
Nathan Bell and his partner Cole Sands won the East Regional on Cherokee Lake in May.
Hunter Louden fished the championship in 2016 solo and got a Top 10.
Hunter Louden fished the championship in 2016 solo and got a Top 10.
Cole Floyd (left) and reigning College Classic Representative John Garrett laugh while hanging out at their table.
Cole Floyd (left) and reigning College Classic Representative John Garrett laugh while hanging out at their table.
89 teams will start early on Thursday morning as they battle for the top spot.
89 teams will start early on Thursday morning as they battle for the top spot.