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Get Reeled Into A Good Deed

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By PAUL CATALA

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 11, 2008

PLANT CITY - For every angler who drops his line during a fundraiser this month, a few more dollars will be reeled in for an upstart religious-theological university based in Plant City.

From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28 at Edward Medard Park, rookie to seasoned fishermen and fisherwomen are invited to take part in Evangelical University and Seminary's first fishing tournament.

The university is an inter-denominational, Bible-based educator training school with 80 to 100 students taking classes to further their evangelical careers. The school, headquartered at a building at 105 E. Baker St. on the campus of First Baptist Church of Plant City, also offers bachelor degree completion programs for those who haven't finished and classes for laypeople to gain insight to the church and the Bible.

Most of the funding for Evangelical comes through the International Baptist Convention, which donated $45,000 to get the university started. In addition, a board of trustees has been established to raise money, and the idea for the fishing tournament stemmed from some of the board's members.

Board member Cheryl Duck said her husband, John, has been involved in fishing tournaments in Destin for years and suggested trying one as a fundraiser for Evangelical. Along with board member Myrle Henry, Duck began organizing the fishing tournament as an alternative to regular fundraisers, such as golf outings or barbecues. She said it may be the first, or one of the first, organized fundraising fishing tournaments to be held in Plant City in recent years.

"We're trying to reach another segment of interests, people who like fishing," she said. "We want to open this up to anyone who likes to fish, and we want to build on this to make it a major event in years to come."

The event starts at 6 a.m. at the park, 5737 Turkey Creek Road, with a doughnut and coffee breakfast. Boaters can launch onto the lake anytime during the tournament . Fishing begins at 7 a.m., and boaters can return to the park pavilion for weigh-in and return to fishing between 7 a.m. and noon.

After the tournament, a $100 top prize will be awarded in each of four categories based on the weight of the catch and the type of fish. Prizes of $50 and $25 will be awarded for second and third places in two of the categories.

A picnic lunch will be provided from noon to 2 p.m., and tournament winners will be announced around 1 p.m. Door prizes will be awarded, drawn per boat or each $100 entry.

Henry, who will help judge the weigh-ins, said the hope is the $100-per-boat entrance fee, with up to three anglers per boat, will help keep the budding university financially stable in the uncertain early years. Along with Plant City, Evangelical, which opened last year, has campuses in Lakeland, Dover, Bartow, Seffner and Clearwater.

"As you can imagine, beginning a new university requires a lot of capital. The needs are great. We're hoping to raise some funding as well as get more exposure about the Evangelical University and Seminary and get people to help us out."

For information or to register, call the university at (813) 704-4404 or Duck at (727) 735-8317.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: First annual Evangelical University and Seminary Fundraiser Fishing Tournament

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 28

WHERE: Edward Medard Park, 5737 Turkey Creek Road, south of State Road 60

COST: $100 per boat for up to three anglers

INFORMATION: Call the university at (813) 704-4404, or Cheryl Duck at (727) 735-8317.

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