St. Jude Bass Classic: Catching Bass, Finding Cures and Saving Children

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Kurt Mazurek | Last updated 4/25/24

As a bass tournament angler who lived in Wisconsin for ten years, I’ve spent a lot of time competing on the Mississippi River. I know that the annual St. Jude Bass Classic has always been a special event, attracting the best and most competitive anglers from all over the country. A win in this event goes a long way for your credibility as an angler among your peers. But much more than that, this event offers the opportunity to help provide much needed relief for families and children who need it most.

For 25 years, the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic has cultivated a community that has become a family and brought anglers and supporters from across the country to a small town in Minnesota for a weekend that's a highlight for so many. Raising over $1 million in 2023, and nearly $7 million in its lifetime, the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic is the largest charity bass-fishing tournament of its kind, not only for St. Jude but in the country.

What is the St. Jude Bass Classic?

This two-day tournament, which takes place on the Mississippi River and is hosted by the City of Wabasha, features a weekend full of activities, including live weigh-ins on both Saturday and Sunday, a celebratory dinner banquet on Saturday evening featuring a St. Jude Mission Moment, fundraising awards and much more. The tournament concludes on Sunday afternoon with an awards ceremony, where the winning team has the chance to walk away with $25,000 (with qualifying fundraising).

The Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic was started by a group of anglers from Minnesota and Wisconsin with a common love and passion for both fishing and the kids of St. Jude.

How Much Can a Bass Tournament Help Children?

The first tournament, which was held in 1999 and hosted at Treasure Island Resort and Casino, raised $11,000. Today, 25 years later, The Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic has grown to be one of the biggest charity bass fishing tournaments in the nation — not only the largest for St. Jude but the only tournament and event of its kind.

For the last 25 years, over 400 anglers have come together each May and have raised nearly $7 million to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A lot has changed in 25 years, but one thing that has not changed is the unwavering commitment and dedication that the anglers have for the kids and the mission of St. Jude.

This is a link to an absolutely beautifully produced video from last year's event. It does a great job of explaining and showing what the event is all about. Unfortunately, it wouldn't let me embed the video here, but it's definitely worth going to St. Jude's Facebook page to watch this video. Here's a link:
25th Anniversary Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic Video

1999
The first tournament is held at Treasure Island Resort and Casino and raises $11,000.

2011
"The Million Dollar Year" — fundraising totals of all the vents since the beginning surpass the $1 million mark.

2023
They celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic and raised a record-breaking $1 million in a single event!

What is St. Jude?

St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Their researchers and doctors work together to turn laboratory breakthroughs into lifesaving treatments for children from across the United States and around the world.

And with your support, St. Jude can provide cutting-edge treatments at no cost to families — so they can focus on helping their child live. I think that last part is worth repeating: with your support, St. Jude can provide cutting-edge treatments at no cost to families.

How Can I Help?

If you’re an angler, unfortunately it’s too late to sign up and compete in this year’s tournament (but definitely make a note on your calendar for next year). However, there are still lots of ways to get involved and have a great time doing it!

Sponsor
You can still sponsor your favorite team of anglers. Simply go HERE to St. Judes website where you can search for them by an angler’s name or their team name.

Donate
There are lots of ways you can help. You can click HERE for a wide range of options. Remember, your support means St. Jude has the resources to continue delivering on its six-year, $11.5 billion strategic plan to triple its global investment to help more of the 400,000 kids with cancer each year.

Attend
If you love fishing, want to see what it takes to win on the Mississippi River, get lots of chances to talk fishing and maybe pick up a hot tip or two (or just want to show your support for a great cause), make plans to come see the event.

Takeoff starts at 7:00AM and weigh-in starts at 3:30PM on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th at Izaak Walton Park, 5th Grant Blvd. Wabasha, MN 55981.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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