'Team Academy' lures women anglers

GREENVILLE, S.C. - When Kathy Magers "retired" from bass fishing eight years ago, she had no clue what was on the horizon for her and women who fish professionally.

At that time, all those years ago in 2000, Magers and the ladies competed on the Women's Bass Fishing Association. It was the only professional circuit specifically for women and was the successor to the Bass 'n Gal trail that had been around for a couple of decades.

Magers had been involved in both circuits and in the fishing industry for several years. Her love of the outdoors, Texas roots and affinity for catching little green fish kept her going. As a writer, television and radio show host, volunteer on boards and an angler, Magers was and still is widely known as one of the sport's foremost ambassadors.

For the last few years she has helped with consulting for the Women's Bassmaster Tour, which is managed by B.A.S.S. and owned by ESPN. She's stayed in touch with industry folks, just recently accepted a position as the first woman on the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame's board of directors, and is a regular at the Bassmaster Classic. Magers may have put down her rods, at least on a competitive angle, but she's still elbow-deep in the livewell.

During the last six or eight months, she watched as Academy SportsOutdoors began working to become the "presenting sponsor" for the WBT, which will hold its season tournament weigh-ins at Academy stores. The franchise has more than 100 stores in Texas and the Southeast, with plans to expand.

What transpired during that dance between B.A.S.S. and Academy turned into a something more. Academy's brass decided to not only sponsor and support the WBT, but also to create a 12-woman squad known as "Team Academy."

Magers, in the official announcement last night at a reception, was the first to be identified as part of the team.

The lure, no pun intended, of getting back into competitive fishing was too great.

"I hope I remember how," Magers said, flashing her ever-present smile. "When I came into the room for the reception, I felt like I was floating like a hovercraft. I know so many of the women and enjoy being around them, fishing with them ... I'm just excited as can be to be back."

That's the equivalent of a Murderer's Row in the angling world, a highly impressive group for Academy to present right out of the gate. Martin-Wells won last year's WBT championship. Wong won two WBFA titles. Richardson won the 2006 WBT angler of the year title and Glasgow, who was no slouch on the WBFA circuit, is this year's reigning angler of the year.

Few women, or few athletes in any sport, have the opportunity to take time away from the competition and see the other side. Magers knows the rigors of being on the water for long days, searching for fish, trying to find the right ones to win a tournament. For the last seven years, she's also discovered new things on the other side of the fence.

"I have that benefit of seeing both sides," she said. "It was good for me because I learned a lot. This definitely is a business and it's tough. Businesses are looking at what they get for their sponsor dollars. But I believe with Academy's involvement and commitment we're going to be able to make some strides."

Magers won't be fishing in the WBT championship this week on Lake Keowee. Instead, she'll be working at the outdoors expo at the Bi-Lo Center, greeting fans and talking with potential sponsors.

But she'll have her eye on being on the water for next year's championship.