Three Anglers Named to All-Academic Team at the First Event of the ACA’s Historic 20th Season

SAN ANTONIO, TX (September 25, 2024) – This past weekend, the Association of Collegiate Anglers contested the first event of its historic 20^th season.  The Bass Pro Shops Big Bass Bash presented by Berkley took place September 21-22 at Kentucky Lake in Henry County and Paris, TN.  At the registration meeting on Friday night, prior to the start of the event, the ACA named the first three anglers to its 2024-25 All-Academic Team.

Here are the three anglers who were selected:

Nicholas Howell – Illinois State University

Harmon Marien – McKendree University

Clay Henderson – Drury University

College fishing is a demanding and rewarding sport that requires anglers to balance their time spent on the water and in the classroom.  Remaining dedicated in the classroom and showcasing academic success are great standards for an angler to achieve.  It is because of this hard work and required dedication that the ACA has created the All-Academic Team to call attention to, and reward, student anglers for their success in the classroom.

Clay Henderson – Drury University

Classification: Senior

Major: Marketing and Management

Clay Henderson is a member of the Drury University Bass Fishing Team.  He is currently a senior, pursuing a degree in Marketing and Management.  During each semester throughout his college career, Clay has been named to the Dean’s List.  Clay has worked hard to balance his class work and time spent on the water to achieve success in both areas.

Harmon Marien – McKendree University

Classification: Graduate Student

Major: Undergrad – Marketing and Business Administration

         Master’s Degree – Digital Marketing

The next angler we will highlight is Harmon Marien.  Harmon is a member of the Top 10 ranked McKendree University Bass Fishing Team.

Harmon achieved degrees in both Marketing and Business Administration, while maintaining excellence in the classroom.  In 2024, he was selected as McKendree University’s “Top School of Business Overall Student for 2024.”  This year, Harmon is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing.

During his time at McKendree University, Harmon has been involved in a variety of different organizations and leadership roles.  He has served on both the University’s Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAC) and been the bass fishing team’s representative on the athletic department’s diversity and inclusion committee.

Nicholas Howell – Illinois State University

Classification: Junior

Major: Education

Nicholas Howell was the third angler named to the ACA’s All-Academic Team.  A Junior at Illinois State University, he is majoring in Education.

Nicholas, like all of the anglers named to the All-Academic Team, exemplifies success in the classroom and on the water.  A multi-time National Championship qualifier, Nicholas also manages to work two jobs, serve volunteer hours, and is the current President of his university’s bass fishing team.

At each ACA tournament during the 2024-25 season, 3 nominees will be selected to the All-Academic Team for that event.  Throughout the season, a total of 12 student anglers will be selected to the All-Academic Team.  Each of the 12 selected nominees will be presented at that specific tournament, of which they’ll receive a valuable prize package, exposure on ACA social media platforms and television series, as well as have the opportunity to be named the Academic All-American at the end of the season.

All-Academic Team members and the overall award recipient will be selected based on their all-around performance in the classroom, to include overall GPA, as reviewed by ACA staff through a diligent process.

To find out more information about the program and nominate an angler, click here.