Texas A&M To Be A First-Ever Sponsor Of Grad And Pro Angler At Major Fishing Events

Justin Rackley, a 2008 Texas A&M University graduate who turned his love for bass fishing into a professional angling career, has been selected as the first-ever professional athlete to be officially sponsored by Texas A&M, announced Jason Cook, the university’s vice president for marketing and communications.

As a sponsored athlete, Rackley has officially partnered with the university for two years. His truck sports Aggie colors and logo from headlights to taillights, and the matching maroon power boat trailing behind displays the “It’s Time For Texas A&M” tag line.

Cook said he and other university officials believe the sponsorship will aid in student recruitment for targeted areas, as well as help Texas A&M connect with a large and growing group of outdoor sports enthusiasts.

“We consider this sponsorship to be an extraordinary opportunity for the university to be represented by a great Aggie in a growing and highly popular form of recreation — one in which countless Aggies and prospective students enthusiastically engage,” notes Cook. “Justin will be an excellent ambassador for the university in this field that continues to grow and generate a significant amount of positive attention and interest.”

Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences Mark A. Hussey, Ph.D., said he is enthusiastic about working with Rackley to profile Texas A&M as a center for a diverse range of careers.

“Justin’s home academic department, wildlife and fisheries sciences, offers one of the premier programs of its kind in the world,” Hussey said. “The university’s sponsorship of Justin will enable Texas A&M to spotlight these leading programs in ecology, wildlife and fisheries management, biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources.”

“Fishing and hunting are a huge financial boon to the Texas economy,” said Douglas Slack, Ph.D., Regents Professor and associate department head for undergraduate affairs in the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences. A recent national survey indicated that the total economic effect from fish and wildlife-related recreation in Texas was estimated to be $15.8 billion. Our sponsorship of Justin Rackley clearly states the university’s commitment to this important aspect of our state’s economy.”

Rackley said he is pleased to have the opportunity to represent his alma mater.

“It’s an honor to represent Texas A&M,” Rackley said. “I think my affiliation with the university will help people realize that rewarding careers can be achieved through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the other world-class programs that are at the university.”

Rackley said he is also excited about his sponsorship bringing additional recognition to the Aggie Anglers, a group that in many ways launched his fishing career.

Founded in 2004, Texas A&M’s Aggie Anglers club aims to grow the sport of bass fishing by introducing students to the sport and by participating in national collegiate bass tournaments.

“This club has produced numerous professional anglers like myself in the past,” Rackley said.

Rackley, who earned a degree in aquatic ecology and conservation, turned pro in 2009 after winning the National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship in 2007 and being named the 2008 Fox Collegiate Sport Spring Break Out Winner. Also in 2008, he placed third in the Bass Pro College Shoot Out and was runner-up in the National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship.

Now a member of the Professional Anglers Association (PAA), Rackley casts for bass at every opportunity. When he’s not fishing for himself, he serves as a Lake Fork bass guide in North Texas.

Rackley’s home base is now Flower Mound in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but he also travels throughout Texas and the Southeast to fish in PAA tournaments.

An advocate for the future of sport fishing, Rackley is lending his support to the inaugural Texas High School Bass Fishing Championship. Set for June 5-6 at Lake Belton, this competition will allow high school students from across the state to compete for the official title and trophy, college tuition money and other prizes.

“I would have absolutely loved to have been able to fish in a high school bass fishing tournament when I was a teenager,” Rackley said. “I got to experience the action of collegiate angling and have watched the sport grow exponentially. The High School Championship is the competitive opportunity that I wish I had at that time.”

Texas A&M will also be a partial sponsor of the event and plans to use the event as a student recruiting opportunity.

For more information:

Justin Rackley official website

Texas High School Bass Championship

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