Alliance pays out more than $139,000

Written by

Gene Gilliland

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — More than $139,000 was paid out to state chapters and individual members in 2008, courtesy of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Alliance presented by Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Lowrance Electronics and Optima Batteries. In 2008, 43 state chapters participated in the Alliance program.

 The monies were made up of three components, according to Bernie House, director of tournaments and events for Triton Boats. The first component was $58,575 in individual contingency money for the 83 Triton owners who qualified for their state team, and who also received incremental money ($500 to $2,500) for using Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance and Optima products. Those 83 anglers’ states earned the second component, $34,000 in bonus cash. The third component was $47,000 paid out to Federation Nation members who purchased new Triton/Mercury rigs in 2008.

 Additionally, Alliance states benefited at the 2008 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship. The Montana B.A.S.S. Federation Nation won a fully rigged $50,000 boat package for having the highest finisher from an Alliance state. And at the 2008 Junior Bassmaster World Championship (JWC), each youth qualifier from an Alliance state received a $500 education scholarship. Joey Nania, who won the JWC, was the highest finishing competitor from an Alliance state (Washington), so he won a Triton aluminum boat/Mercury outboard package outfitted with a MotorGuide trolling motor, Lowrance sonar and Optima batteries.

 In addition to paying cash to the states and to Triton owners who qualify for their state team, the Alliance helps states with their fundraising efforts, said Michelle Kilburn, manager of tournaments and events at Mercury Marine. Each Alliance state receives complimentary Mercury propellers, outboard oil and MotorGuide trolling motors to raffle or auction off. Alliance states are also eligible to purchase additional boat and motor packages at a discount for fundraising purposes.

 To learn more about member and state benefits from the Alliance program, visit www.triton boats.com and click on the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Alliance logo.