Foshee signs with SCAD Fishing

A crowd gathered at Gardendale Civic Center in Gardendale, Ala., for the signing ceremony for Laura Ann Foshee.

SCAD is written out in cupcakes for Foshee’s school of choice, the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Foshee’s artwork is on display, along with catalogs and gift items from SCAD.

The stage is set for the SCAD Fishing Team’s announcement.

Isaac Payne, left, is the new coach for SCAD Fishing. He was just hired this summer as SCAD’s first ever varsity fishing coach. Payne is an alumnus of SCAD, where he founded the fishing club that’s still in existence.

Randy Howell, far left, was also on hand for the announcement. He is a close friend of the Foshee family.

Howell meets with the guest of honor, Foshee, as the two prepare to do an interview for local TV news.

Payne joins Howell and Foshee as the trio are interviewed on camera.

“This is the greatest opportunity,” said Howell, referring not only to Foshee joining SCAD but to the number of colleges beginning to recruit for their fishing teams.

Howell explained the college fishing program and how high school clubs are leading into it.

Payne and Foshee addressed the crowd for the signing. Foshee, who was selected as a member of the inaugural 12-person Bassmaster High School All-American team, is the creator and president of her high school club.

After Payne graduated from SCAD, he advocated for the school to start two varsity fishing teams â one for men and one for women â with at least six members on each. He is working to secure the rest of the spots for the inaugural year, which begins next fall.

The teams have the full support of the school, including scholarship support. “Down the road, we’re going to grow much larger, and eventually, this team will begin recruiting for itself,” said Payne. “This is a real passion for me. It’s going to be an amazing feeling to watch the first class from this team graduate and move into the fishing industry.”

Payne explains that SCAD has 12,000 students and five campuses, and he’s recruiting nationally and internationally for the program. “At SCAD, you can take an idea or an aesthetic that you like about the world and turn it into something real. After serving in the Marines, I went to SCAD for industrial design and learned how to make my own lures. I was able to take fishing and incorporate it into my education. Now, Laura Ann can do the same, and she’s a great addition to the team.”

“This is ideal for her,” said Tammy Foshee, Laura Ann’s mother. “This is not just a girl on the back of the boat. She’ll be on the front of the boat, with an instructor there to teach her. That’s exactly what she wants â to continue to advance her skills.”

“I’m so proud of her and the 21 anglers on her team, so many of whom are here right now,” said Foshee.

Spectators waited as Randy Howell took his place for the signing.

Howell will serve as the witness for the actual signing.

“Randy is my No. 1 inspiration,” said Foshee. “I want to win the Bassmaster Classic so I can tell my testimony on stage like he did. It just affected me to think that that many people could hear my testimony and I could share the word of God with the world.”

Foshee presented Howell with a painting she did for him, inspired by the Livingston Lures Howeller he used to win the 2014 Classic. Foshee plans to major in graphic design and minor in photography at SCAD.

Payne reveals the paperwork …

Foshee signs it …

… and it’s finalized by Payne.

Foshee picks up her new hat …

… and makes it official.

Pose!

“I chose SCAD for one because it’s a super college for the arts,” said Foshee. “I love cheerleading and gymnastics, but I don’t love anything like I love art and fishing. Now that I can do something I really enjoy and work it into part of my education, I’m really happy.”