Casey Stockton Memorial bass tourney set for May 20
Every year, an annual bass tournament honors the memory of a Franklin County man who passed away too young. The time has come again for fishermen – and women – and philanthropists to fish for a cause.
The 4th Annual Casey Stockton Memorial Scholarship Bass Tournament is set for May 20 at Slick Rock Boat Ramp, Cedar Creek Lake. The tournament, which lasts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., costs a $60 entry fee per boat, which benefits the Casey Stockton Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Casey was 23 when he died suddenly in 2012. His passing was the catalyst for an idea proposed by fishing buddies – the memorial fishing tourney.
“Casey was a member of the Belgreen Bass Club, and they were actually the ones who came to us and told us they wanted to have a tournament each year to honor Casey’s memory and to help fund the scholarship,” explained mother Lisa Stockton. “He loved the guys that were in the bass club. They were like a second family to him. He would come home on the nights they had their meetings and talk to us for hours about all that happened.
“It meant the world to us when they told us they were going to do this. Casey would be very honored and humbled that they have this tournament every year in his memory.”
Casey’s family had already established the scholarship fund upon his passing – Stockton said they asked for donation in lieu of flowers “because we knew that the flowers would fade away but that a scholarship would be a way for us to keep Casey’s memory alive and to help a student pay for their college education.” The tournament became a perfect way to help further that vision – and to keep the mission connected to Casey’s memory in a special way.
“After this year, we will have presented ten scholarships to students at Russellville City and Franklin County schools,” Stockton said. “Two years ago we also increased the amounts of the scholarship from $500 to $1,000 each. His fishing tournament and the support we receive from friends and family is the reason for the increase. This year we are going to be able to present two $1,000 scholarships at Russellville City Schools (in addition to one in the Franklin County Schools).”
Of course, scholarship winners aren’t the only ones coming out of the tourney with a little money in their pockets. Prize money will be awarded as follows for this year’s tourney winners: first place, $750, second place, $450, third place, $250, and fourth place, $150. Additionally, a number of door prizes will be given away, including Yeti products, Costa sunglasses, gift cards and fishing gear.
Entry forms are being accepted now for the tournament and can be mailed or turned in at the ramp the morning of the tournament. For more information or to obtain an entry form, call Ronnie Wray at 256-627-8898 or Tim Stockton at 256-520-9959.
“The day of his tournaments is always a very emotional day for us and for his friends and family,” Stockton said. “There are a lot of tears mixed with smiles and laughter as we all share stories of past fishing adventures of Casey and his friends.
“I think in a way it is therapy for all of us,” she added. “It does our hearts good to see so many of his friends and fishing buddies show up for the tournament and the weigh-in.”
“It does our hearts good to know that we are helping to make a difference in young peoples’ lives and that we are keeping Casey’s memory alive for years to come. And I just know that Casey is proud too and that he is smiling big.”
