Montevallo Wins the 2023-24 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia for 4th Straight Season
University of North Alabama finishes in 2nd, and Carson-Newman claims 3rd
SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 12, 2024) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers announces the release of the final standings for the 2023-24 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
The University of Montevallo finishes the season in 1st place with a total of 40,305 points. Montevallo continues to re-write the history books, as the school from Alabama claims its fourth straight School of the Year title in bass fishing.
Moving up one spot from the previous rankings, the University of North Alabama ends the year ranked 2nd, edging out 3rd ranked Carson-Newman by a mere 135 points. The University of North Alabama is a two-time winner of the prestigious School of the Year title and they used a late season rally to claim the 2nd place spot.
In 2023, the University of Montevallo achieved collegiate bass fishing history, as they became the first team to ever win the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia three times. This season’s victory extends that record to four titles, all of which have been won in consecutive seasons (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
Montevallo occupied the number one spot on and off throughout the season, jockeying with Carson-Newman University for top honors. Over the course of the past two months, Montevallo took a firm hold of that number one ranking and did not relinquish it. In their quest for four straight titles, Montevallo grew its lead over the closest competitors. The University of Montevallo finishes the 2023-24 season with a total of 40,305 points, almost 4,000 points clear of 2nd place.
Finishing the season in 2nd place in college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system is the University of North Alabama. UNA entered the final points earning event of the season ranked 3rd, 1,795 points behind Carson-Newman University. At the Bassmaster College Series tournament on Saginaw Bay, UNA’s two highest-finishing teams earned a total of 1,930 points. Carter Nutt & Dylan Nutt finished in 16th overall, and Kyle Zainitzer & Brock Vogel took 43rd. Those two Top 50 finishes helped UNA to edge out Carson-Newman by 135 points.
Leading up to the event at Saginaw Bay, UNA thrust itself into contention for that 2nd place overall ranking with a strong showing at the triple points Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops. UNA placed three teams in the Top 25 at Pickwick Lake, garnering a 1st, 3rd, and 25th place finish to give themselves a shot at eventually moving into the 2nd place spot in the final rankings.
Rounding out the Top 3 is Carson-Newman University. After occupying the number one spot for the first time in program history, and doing so on and off throughout the year, Carson-Newman ends the season ranked 3rd. In 2023, Carson-Newman earned the school’s highest end-of-year ranking in program history by finishing 3rd. The team from Jefferson City, TN entered the season picked 3rd in the ACA Pre-Season Poll, and that 3rdspot is where they wrapped up the 2023-24 campaign.
Here is a look at other teams that made significant moves up inside of the Top 25 in the latest points update:
4) McKendree University – Previously Ranked 6th
5) Auburn University – Previously Ranked 7th
7) Adrian College – Previously Ranked 11th
8) Murray State University – Previously Ranked 10th
14) Wabash Valley College – Previously Ranked 17th
18) Southwestern Michigan College – Previously Ranked 19th
Entering the 2023-24 season, the ACA announced updated program details to the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. Those modifications resulted in one of the most tightly contested races in program history. Entering the ACA’s triple points Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, numerous teams were within striking distance of the number one ranking.
As we wrap up the final standings, it’s of note that teams ranked 6th-11th were separated by less than 2,300 points. A similar gap separates 12th-19th. Because of the close nature of this year-long race, teams entered each week with an opportunity to earn valuable points that could help them make a significant move up in the rankings to secure a high finish amongst the Top 25 bass fishing teams in the nation.
The 2023-24 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia started in June of 2023 and has now drawn to a conclusion. Operated by the ACA, college fishing’s only all-encompassing National Rankings system saw a total of close to 200 teams nationwide compete in over 60 points earning events. With the conclusion of the 2023-24 race, the 2024-25 season is now underway. Click here to view points earning events, and read the complete program details at this link.
