Auburn, Ala. — Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation members are rallying around their High School Director Darrel High to help him recover from burn injuries.
High suffered third-degree burns on 40 percent of his body including both of his arms and legs in a fire accident Oct. 15 at his home, according to his wife, Susan High. “He was burning a brush pile at home and the fire came back on him,” she said. The Alabama Nation high school director was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, a burn center verified by the American Burn Association (ABA)
“He was in the ICU burn unit for eight or nine days then he was moved to the progressive ICU for five or six days,” Susan said. “He is doing okay. He misses his fishing and all the boys. He loves those (high school) kids and their parents.”
High is home now but has to return to the burn clinic for physical and occupational therapy weekly for the next month and bi-weekly the following months. Susan said the doctor told him it would be about a year before he will be released from the doctor’s care.
Alabama Nation President Eddie Plemons credits High for the impressive growth of the Alabama Nation’s high school program. “When he took over the high school program we may have had 50 or 60 high school kids fishing and last year at Lake Martin we had 325 boats (for a high school event),” Plemons said. “He has done an excellent job. He has been able to get good sponsors and a bunch of good support people helping him.”
High is also the advisor of the Auburn University Bass Sports Club that produced Bassmaster Classic Champion Jordan Lee and his brother, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Matt Lee.
The fishing community and Alabama Nation are setting up fundraisers to help High with his medical expenses. Big Bite Baits President Tammy Foshee has started a “Friends of Darrel High” Go Fund Me page and a Darrel High Benefit Tournament is set for Nov. 19 at Lake Martin. For more information about the benefit tournament, text or call JW Danzey at 334-524-6226 or Marc Woodall at 334-750-3066.
The Alabama Nation High School program has planned a silent auction benefit for High during the high school state qualifier weigh-in Dec. 9 at Lake Guntersville. The silent auction organizers are seeking donation items such as guided fishing trips, pro jerseys, rods, reels, gift certificates, coolers, etc. Anyone interested in donating items can send a private message to the Alabama BASS Nation High School Facebook page or email ABNHS2015@gmail.com.
