The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff spotlights its UAPB Fishing Team — Isaiah Atoe, Keidron Warner and Zykei Lewis — who headed to Kissimmee, Fla., on Jan. 16, for a major tournament under the Bassmaster banner, the world’s largest bass fishing organization, best known for hosting the Bassmaster Classic, widely regarded as the “Super Bowl of Fishing.”
Supporters may tune into the live coverage beginning at 6 a.m. Jan. 22-23 on the Bassmaster website.
The group planned to make the approximately 15-hour drive south to the Bassmaster College Series First Stop at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and was determined to compete at the highest level and shine a light on the sport’s core values, according to a news release.
Atoe and Warner are students in the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, aligning their competitive pursuits with conservation, sustainability and environmental stewardship. Lewis is a UAPB Multimedia Communications major who brings storytelling, digital media and a creative perspective to the team’s outreach and visibility.
Unlike many collegiate sports that face weather delays or venue changes, competitive fishing proceeds rain or shine — when the team hits the water, the fishing day finishes regardless of conditions.
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This series, Atoe and Warner were featured on the tournament’s official leaderboard.
Beyond competition, the UAPB Fishing Team champions conservation and community engagement. Their approach to fishing emphasizes respect for aquatic habitats, responsible catch-and-release practices and being positive stewards of the outdoors — embodying UAPB’s broader land-grant mission of leadership and service, according to the release.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
The UAPB Fishing Team’s goal extends beyond winning tournaments. Their mission is to inspire future generations, especially students and individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue their passions with faith, perseverance and poise. Grounded in faith and determination, the team lives by a simple philosophy: “put God first, never give up, and pursue your goals courageously.”
To share that message more broadly, the team is launching a new YouTube series titled “No More Losses,” offering a behind-the-scenes look at tournament preparation, travel, competition days and personal growth — while highlighting the realities of collegiate fishing and conservation through a multimedia lens.
Professional bass fishing has historically seen limited representation from individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, but progress continues through visibility, access and intentional inclusion. Trailblazers such as Alfred Williams, the first African American angler to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic, helped open doors in competitive fishing. Today, initiatives like BassmastHER continue that momentum by expanding participation, leadership and visibility for women in fishing — from youth anglers to professionals — reinforcing that the sport is for everyone.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND BEYOND
As the team departed from campus Jan. 16, they invited the UAPB family, the community and supporters in Pine Bluff to rally behind them through encouragement, engagement with their content and showing pride in seeing them represent UAPB on a national stage.
The community can donate to them through the UAPB’s online giving form, or consider sponsoring a scholarship by contacting Scott Jones, UAPB extension specialist, at joness@uapb.edu for more information.