Officials gather to announce Knoxville Classic

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Seven Tennessee-based Elite Series anglers attended the April 11 press conference to announce the 2019 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee. From left to right that’s Brandon Coulter, Ott DeFoe, Brandon Card, Wesley Strader, John Murray, David Mullins and David Walker.
Seven Tennessee-based Elite Series anglers attended the April 11 press conference to announce the 2019 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee. From left to right that’s Brandon Coulter, Ott DeFoe, Brandon Card, Wesley Strader, John Murray, David Mullins and David Walker.
Local tourism officials were a big part of bringing the Classic to Knoxville. Some of their products, like this magazine, were given out to visitors.
Local tourism officials were a big part of bringing the Classic to Knoxville. Some of their products, like this magazine, were given out to visitors.
First up to the podium was Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. “This announcement is a huge win for the Visit Knoxville Sports Comission,” she said. “A year from now these boats [pointing to DeFoe and Coulter’s rigs] will fly down our riverfront for all the world to see.”
First up to the podium was Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. “This announcement is a huge win for the Visit Knoxville Sports Comission,” she said. “A year from now these boats [pointing to DeFoe and Coulter’s rigs] will fly down our riverfront for all the world to see.”
B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin invited all 500,000 Bassmaster members to the 2019 Classic and mention he had been humming Rocky Top (the University of Tennessee fight song) on the drive to Knoxville.
B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin invited all 500,000 Bassmaster members to the 2019 Classic and mention he had been humming Rocky Top (the University of Tennessee fight song) on the drive to Knoxville.
The announcement took place at Volunteer Landing on the Tennessee River. Classic competitors will launch from this spot March 15-17, 2019. It is a short walk from downtown Knoxville. That’s the Gay Street Bridge in the background.
The announcement took place at Volunteer Landing on the Tennessee River. Classic competitors will launch from this spot March 15-17, 2019. It is a short walk from downtown Knoxville. That’s the Gay Street Bridge in the background.
B.A.S.S. Executive Vice President/Director Chase Anderson, a Knoxville native, spoke about his early years of fishing on the Tennessee River.
B.A.S.S. Executive Vice President/Director Chase Anderson, a Knoxville native, spoke about his early years of fishing on the Tennessee River.
Madeline Rogero, Mayor of the city of Knoxville, talked about how the city has focused for many years on its greenways. She was excited that the city has turned its attention to its blueways, or the rivers and lakes.
Madeline Rogero, Mayor of the city of Knoxville, talked about how the city has focused for many years on its greenways. She was excited that the city has turned its attention to its blueways, or the rivers and lakes.
Rogero told the media about her early years of fishing with her father in Florida.
Rogero told the media about her early years of fishing with her father in Florida.
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett remembered a meeting several years ago with Elite angler Brandon Coulter where the idea of having a Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville first came up. And he recalled a story from his youth about catching an 8-pound bass in a local pond.
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett remembered a meeting several years ago with Elite angler Brandon Coulter where the idea of having a Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville first came up. And he recalled a story from his youth about catching an 8-pound bass in a local pond.
Kevin Triplett, Tennessee’s commissioner for the Department of Tourist Development, attended the event and talked of the state’s excitement about the Bassmaster Classic. That’s Neyland Stadium in the background, home of the University of Tennessee football team.
Kevin Triplett, Tennessee’s commissioner for the Department of Tourist Development, attended the event and talked of the state’s excitement about the Bassmaster Classic. That’s Neyland Stadium in the background, home of the University of Tennessee football team.
Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville, wrapped up the ceremony thanking B.A.S.S., government agencies, and tourism officials for working together to bring the Classic to Knoxville. Behind her is the Henley Street bridge, which connects South Knoxville to downtown.
Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville, wrapped up the ceremony thanking B.A.S.S., government agencies, and tourism officials for working together to bring the Classic to Knoxville. Behind her is the Henley Street bridge, which connects South Knoxville to downtown.
Afterwards, all the VIPs gathered for a photo.
Afterwards, all the VIPs gathered for a photo.
Elite angler Brandon Card meets Knoxville Mayor Rogero. Card grew up in nearby Caryville, Tenn. and now lives in Knoxville. He fished on the college team at the University of Kentucky.
Elite angler Brandon Card meets Knoxville Mayor Rogero. Card grew up in nearby Caryville, Tenn. and now lives in Knoxville. He fished on the college team at the University of Kentucky.
Mayor Rogero enjoyed talking fishing with the Elite anglers. From left to right that’s John Murray, David Walker, Brandon Card and Wesley Strader.
Mayor Rogero enjoyed talking fishing with the Elite anglers. From left to right that’s John Murray, David Walker, Brandon Card and Wesley Strader.
Wesley Strader tells Mayor Rogero about attending a UT football game when he was a child. “We parked in South Knoxville, across the river from Neyland Stadium,” he said. “My dad had me and my brother and him cross the river on that railroad bridge. You could look down through the railroad ties and see the river.” The Mayor asked what they would have done if a train appeared. “I suppose we would have jumped,” said Strader. “That was the only option. To a kid it looked like the river was about a 1,000 feet below.”
Wesley Strader tells Mayor Rogero about attending a UT football game when he was a child. “We parked in South Knoxville, across the river from Neyland Stadium,” he said. “My dad had me and my brother and him cross the river on that railroad bridge. You could look down through the railroad ties and see the river.” The Mayor asked what they would have done if a train appeared. “I suppose we would have jumped,” said Strader. “That was the only option. To a kid it looked like the river was about a 1,000 feet below.”
Brandon Coulter does a media interview. Coulter first came to Knoxville from Pennsylvania to attend the University of Tennessee, and stayed.
Brandon Coulter does a media interview. Coulter first came to Knoxville from Pennsylvania to attend the University of Tennessee, and stayed.
B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin does an interview. Behind him is the former location of Baptist Hospital. The hospital was torn down recently to make way for the Regal Cinemas headquarters and a large apartment complex.
B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin does an interview. Behind him is the former location of Baptist Hospital. The hospital was torn down recently to make way for the Regal Cinemas headquarters and a large apartment complex.
Akin talks with Rick Russo, long-time sports director for Channel 8 WVLT TV, a Knoxville television station.
Akin talks with Rick Russo, long-time sports director for Channel 8 WVLT TV, a Knoxville television station.
Ott and Jennie DeFoe, along with Brandon Coulter, prepare to trailer their boats home. All seven local Elites who attended were excited to get the Classic to Knoxville, then immediately worried aloud about qualifying for the 2019 Classic.
Ott and Jennie DeFoe, along with Brandon Coulter, prepare to trailer their boats home. All seven local Elites who attended were excited to get the Classic to Knoxville, then immediately worried aloud about qualifying for the 2019 Classic.