Ranger Cup University announces 2015 program details

FLIPPIN, ARK. (January 14, 2015) – Collegiate bass anglers will have even more opportunity to cash in on tournament success in 2015 thanks to the continued support of Ranger Cup University.  The contingency program, designed by Ranger Boats exclusively for college anglers, has increased the number of events and opportunities to win for the 2015 season.

Signup is free of charge and open to all college anglers, regardless of the brand of boat they own. To remain qualified in the program, anglers need only adhere to simple clothing and logo requirements while fishing select ACA and FLW-affiliated events. Additionally, Ranger has once again partnered with Gemini Custom Apparel, the industry’s leading tournament apparel provider, who will offer special discounts on jerseys for Ranger Cup University anglers.

For the 2015 season, each qualified event will feature a $500 cash prize paid to the Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler with the highest place of finish in each of the following events:

• Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash (Mar. 13-15, Kentucky Lake)
• Collegiate Bass Fishing Open (Apr. 17-19, Lake Chickamauga)
• Collegiate Bass Texas Shootout (Apr. 25-26, Lake Texoma)
• FLW College Fishing Open (Mar. 20-21, Kentucky Lake)
• FLW College Western Conference Championship (Sept. 26-27, Clear Lake)
• FLW College Southeastern Conference Championship (Sept. 26-27, Pickwick Lake)
• FLW College Southern Conference Championship (Oct. 17-18, Grand Lake)
• FLW College Central Conference Championship (Oct. 3-4, Carlyle Lake)
• FLW College Northern Conference Championship (Sept. 12-13, Chesapeake Bay)

In addition to payouts at regular-season events, a $2,000 cash prize will be awarded to any Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler that wins either the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship or the FLW College Fishing National Championship. In the event that the winners of either major championship are not Ranger Cup University participants, a $1,000 cash prize will be paid to the Ranger Cup-qualified teams/anglers with the highest places of finish in the championship events.

Along with the cash prizes, the highest-finishing Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler in each championship event will also receive automatic entry into the Ranger Cup University Team of the Year Challenge. The made-for-TV fish off, which will air on NBC Sports Network and Pursuit Channel during episodes of Americana Outdoors and Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, will feature the two Ranger Cup University teams competing for the title of 2015 Ranger Cup University Team of the Year and a $2,000 cash prize. Both teams will receive airfare, lodging and meals as part of an expense-paid trip to the tournament location where they will compete from fully rigged Ranger boats.

Earlier this fall, the 2014 Challenge took place at Texas’ Lake Bastrop, a popular power-plant lake known for high numbers of largemouth. The competition featured teams from the University of Minnesota and Tennessee Tech, with Minnesota ultimately claiming top honors.

“For us, the Ranger Cup University program has been huge and we appreciate so much what it does for us collegiate anglers,” said Austin Felix, the recent University of Minnesota graduate. “The sign up is easy and it allowed us to win a lot of extra money plus all the perks that came along with the trip to Lake Bastrop. I’m shocked that not every college angler is signed up for it – especially since it’s free and you don’t even have to run a Ranger.”

For complete program guidelines and details on Ranger Cup University, including payout, clothing requirements and informational videos, go here.