Irwin Jacobs to be inducted into Hall of Fame

2/15/2010 11:24:43 AM

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Industry innovator Irwin L. Jacobs of Minneapolis will be inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Feb. 16, as a member of the 2010 class.

“To be inducted in the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is an incredible honor,” Jacobs said. “I am humbled to be a part of the 2010 class and congratulate the other inductees.”

As chairman of FLW Outdoors, Jacobs continues to bring industry-leading innovations to the sport, including the first $1 million first-place cash award. Jacobs also founded FLW Fantasy Fishing and continues to take the popularity of professional fishing to the next level. Launched in 2007, the series of fantasy tournaments complements Jacobs’ vision to grow fishing beyond the 50 million anglers who participate in the sport annually. FLW Fantasy Fishing allows anyone, regardless of ability or experience, to compete and win unprecedented cash and prizes.

Today, Jacobs continues to tap into the buying power of fishing enthusiasts through new ventures in business and sports. Throughout his career, Jacobs has owned and/or controlled multiple large, small and start-up companies. However, he remains a passionate and relentless innovator, linking sports and business for the benefit of sponsors, fans and anglers alike.

“We're thrilled to honor such a diverse class and highlight the outstanding accomplishments of these men,” said Sammy Lee, president of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. “This group has established themselves over the years on the water with rods and lures, with key decisions in the board room and to readers on the pages of magazines, newspapers and the Internet to help build our sport to what it is today.

“Numerous people have made an impact over the years to help improve and grow the sport of bass fishing we love so dearly,” Lee added. “We applaud these men in the class of 2010 and our previous honorees for their great innovations, strong dedication and intense passion.”

Induction ceremonies for the class of 2010 will be Feb. 16 in Birmingham, Ala., in the Sheraton Civic Center Hotel.

Other inductees are veteran anglers John Powell of Montgomery, Ala., and Woo Daves of Spring Grove, Va., fishing writer Tim Tucker of Cross Creek, Fla., and writer/editor/photojournalist/broadcaster Steve Price of Benton, La. Powell and Tucker will be inducted posthumously.

Established in 1999, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, headquartered in Hot Springs, Ark., is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. It‘s dedicated to promoting the sport of bass fishing through participants and fans and establishing a shrine to the men, women and companies who have supported and elevated this sport to anglers around the world.