ACA Announces Modifications to Points System for 2022-23 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia
SAN ANTONIO, TX (September 27, 2022) – The Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia is college fishing’s only all-encompassing national ranking system. Points are awarded at a variety of events across the country including major events on national trails; ACA, B.A.S.S., and MLF, as well as numerous School-Run events on the local and select independent regional level events.
The Association of Collegiate Anglers manages the School of the Year points system to provide hundreds of top teams comprised of thousands of elite anglers from across the country with the opportunity to compete, being recognized nationally and regionally, in an attempt to finish the year ranked in the prestigious Top 25, and ultimately achieve the coveted number one ranking.
“This is going to be an exciting year ahead for college fishing. I’ve been involved in fishing events for over 30 years now and I know first-hand how schedules will evolve and change annually, and even sometimes during the season for a variety of reasons,” noted Wade Middleton, Director of the Association of Collegiate Anglers.
On Tuesday evening of last week, MLF announced the 2023 season schedule and format for its Abu Garcia College Fishing Series set to begin next year. Part of these changes include the elimination of conferences on the MLF college trail and an open format schedule comprised of eight regular season events and an end of year Championship. Per ACA rules for the 2022-23 Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia, conference alignment dictated the allotment of points and events in which schools could be eligible to receive points at MLF College Series events.
After diligent discussion, and with the best interest of the teams/anglers in mind, the Association of Collegiate Anglers has made modifications to the 2022-23 School of the Year program details. The current rules, regarding earning points at in conference and one out of conference event, remain in place for the remainder of the fall semester. Then to finish out the season, starting January 1, 2023, schools can earn points at any of the 2023 MLF spring events, but they can only earn points in a maximum of five (5) MLF major events during the 2022-23 race for Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.
For example, as of December 31, 2022 a team has fished one (1) in conference and one (1) out of conference MLF Regional. In the spring semester, they will earn points at the first three (3) MLF regular season events competed in, for a total of five (5).
If a school has yet to compete in an MLF Regional event as of December 31, 2022, the team is then eligible to earn points at the first five (5) MLF college series regular season events competed in prior to the end of the School of the Year race on May 26, 2023.
In addition to the modifications above, the ACA is putting in place varying points payouts based upon field event size at all three major college tournament trails; ACA, B.A.S.S., and MLF. These adjustments will go into effect for events happening after January 1, 2023.
Regarding B.A.S.S. and MLF regular season tournaments, events fielding 125 boats or more will award 1,250 points to 1st place. Point increments will decrease by 10 down to 125th, with 125th being the last place to earn points. Schools will be eligible to earn double points for their two highest finishing teams inside of the Top 125. A team must weigh in a fish to earn points and no teams finishing lower than 125th place will earn points.
B.A.S.S. and MLF regular season events fielding 124 boats or less will award 750 points to 1st place. Point increments will decrease by 10 down to 75th, with 75th being the last place to earn points. Schools will be eligible to earn double points for their two highest finishing teams inside of the Top 75. A team must weigh in a fish to earn points and no teams finishing lower than 75th place will earn points.
At ACA regular season events fielding 125 boats or more, 1st place will earn 1,750 points. Point increments will decrease by 10 all the way to the last team (150th place) earning points for its place in the standings. A team must weigh in a fish to earn points and no teams finishing lower than 150th place will earn points. The top two teams in these events from each school will be awarded points. Schools will be eligible to earn double points for their two highest finishing teams inside of the Top 150.
ACA regular season events fielding 124 boats or less will award 1,250 points to 1st place. Point increments will decrease by 10 all the way to the last team (100th place) earning points for its place in the standings. A team must weigh in a fish to earn points and no teams finishing lower than 100th place will earn points. The top two teams in these events from each school will be awarded points. Schools will be eligible to earn double points for their two highest finishing teams inside of the Top 100.
“Collegiate bass fishing continues to change and evolve with the ever-expanding growth and popularity of the sport,” said Kyle Curry, ACA Managing Director. “The ACA works to reward anglers/schools for their performance on the water at events across the country, and the new updates to the School of the Year program details will make this an extremely competitive race that should culminate in an exciting, and dramatic finish to the season next May.”
With the new changes to the overall program this year and how points are allocated across all of the events, the ACA expects this to be the most competitive race to earn a spot in the Top 25 ever.
“In addition, the Association of Collegiate Anglers remains committed to provide and support as many events as possible. This also includes all of the school-run and regional events that provide a variety of angling opportunities for anglers and schools to fish closer to home. These events help raise funds for the host schools and allow many anglers that can’t travel to compete nationally to be able to fish for their schools. This is why we’ve supported them for so long and will continue to do so. Those events are there to fill gaps and needs when the major organizations can’t cover everything and I’m expecting several new events to pop up in underserved areas this season. I encourage all college anglers and fans to read the rules for this year’s School of the Year program and study how to maximize opportunities while managing budgets and class schedules. This year’s points allocation will be as balanced as it can be and will reward the teams that fish the best on the water this season and beyond…and you might be surprised at what opportunities your school might have to earn points,” added Middleton.
View the complete program details here.
