The University of West Alabama fishing program has been placed on probation and head coach William Crawford has been suspended from B.A.S.S.-sanctioned events following an investigation into conduct at the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship on Leech Lake in Minnesota.
B.A.S.S. announced the penalties September 10 after completing an investigation into Crawford’s conduct during the championship. According to the organization, the investigation “confirmed there was a violation of the Bassmaster College Series rules, as well as violations against the Code of Conduct.” The specific conduct or rules involved were not disclosed by B.A.S.S.
Crawford Suspended Through 2026-27 Season
Under the penalty, Crawford has been suspended from all B.A.S.S.-sanctioned events “through the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, effective immediately.”
B.A.S.S. also said Crawford “will not be credentialed for or permitted at Bassmaster College Series venues during that period.”
The suspension represents a significant setback for Crawford, who was named head coach of the newly established West Alabama bass fishing program in April 2026. The University of West Alabama had selected Crawford to lead both its bass fishing team and its Outdoor Fellows Program.
The university announced Crawford’s appointment as part of its effort to expand student opportunities surrounding outdoor recreation, natural resources and related career fields.
West Alabama Can Continue Competing — But Without Points
The West Alabama Fishing Team will not be shut down as a result of the penalties.
B.A.S.S. said the team “will be allowed to continue competing in Bassmaster College Series events.” However, the program will lose an important competitive benefit for the upcoming season.
West Alabama will not accumulate Team of the Year points during the 2026-27 season and will not be eligible for the Team of the Year standings.
The team also will not be eligible for points-based qualification to the 2027 Bassmaster College National Championship. There is, however, another route to the championship.
“A West Alabama team may still qualify for the National Championship by finishing in the top 10% of the field at a Tour event,” B.A.S.S. stated.
The program has been placed on probation through the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. B.A.S.S. warned that “any further violations may result in additional penalties.”
ACA Adopts The Same Penalties
The Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) announced that it would recognize and enforce the same penalties against Crawford and the West Alabama program at ACA tournaments.
According to the ACA, it was made aware of the rules infraction assessed by B.A.S.S. involving Crawford at the Leech Lake championship. After B.A.S.S. completed its investigation, the organization determined there had been violations of its rules and Code of Conduct.
The ACA said it was “acknowledging, upholding, and enforcing the same penalties and punishment to Coach Crawford and the West Alabama fishing team at all ACA tournaments starting immediately through the end of 2027.”
Crawford will not be allowed to attend ACA events during that period, while West Alabama anglers will remain eligible to compete. The team, however, will not earn points toward the ACA School of the Year standings during the suspension.
The ACA emphasized that West Alabama anglers will still have the opportunity to compete for tournament prizes and qualify for the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, provided they satisfy the other eligibility requirements.
The organization said it remains committed to “protecting the integrity of the tournament field and competition” and providing college anglers with a fair environment in which to compete.
“Ethical standards and sportsmanship are expected of all participants and affiliated representatives,” the ACA said.
The ACA also noted that “further penalties, changes, and restrictions could be imposed in the future as applicable to this, or other situations concerning this matter.”
UWA Disputes The Allegations
The University of West Alabama has pushed back against the allegations.
In a statement released Thursday night, the university said it received notice from B.A.S.S. and the ACA on September 10 regarding restrictions placed on the fishing program following the national championship.
“The University vehemently disputes the allegations and is determining the appropriate course of action,” UWA said.
The university added that it would continue to support its student-athletes “as it builds and strengthens the UWA Fishing Program.”
West Alabama Had A Strong Start, Now Faces Difficult Season
The penalties come just months after West Alabama launched its bass fishing program and immediately established itself as a competitive presence in the Bassmaster College Series.
At the James River tournament in May, the West Alabama duo of Phillip Herring and Parker O’Bryan finished second with 37 pounds, 4 ounces. Teammates Daylon Milam and James Dubose finished fifth with 34 pounds, 6 ounces.
Those performances helped send West Alabama to the Bassmaster College National Championship at Leech Lake.
At Leech Lake, Milam and Dubose finished 13th with a two-day total of 34 pounds, 8 ounces, while Herring and O’Bryan finished 28th with 29 pounds, 10 ounces.
UWA’s official tournament recap described the championship as an event featuring 135 boats from across the country and noted that it marked the beginning of the 2026-27 season.
Crawford was appointed to lead the program in April after previously serving as head coach of the bass fishing team at the University of Montevallo. During his time at Montevallo, the program developed into a perennial collegiate bass fishing power and produced several anglers who went on to compete at the professional level. Among those anglers is 2025 Bassmaster Classic champion Easton Fothergill.
Now, Crawford will be absent from B.A.S.S. and ACA venues while his team competes under probation and without the ability to earn season-long points. The team can still earn tournament prizes and, under B.A.S.S. rules, potentially reach the 2027 College National Championship through a top-10-percent finish at a Tour event.
B.A.S.S. concluded its announcement by reiterating its position that maintaining competitive integrity is central to the sport.
“B.A.S.S. remains committed to protecting the fairness and integrity of its competitions and holding all participants and affiliated representatives to the standards those competitions demand.”
For now, the specific circumstances behind the investigation remain undisclosed.
