BHS Coach Honored by Illinois Conservation Foundation with Outdoor Hall of Fame Induction
On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, Batavia High School Fishing Team Coach and Science Teacher, Brian Drendel, will be honored for his role in expanding the High School Bass Fishing program in Illinois. The Illinois Conservation Foundation will be hosting their virtual gala and presenting the Hall of Fame award to Brian.
An avid fisherman throughout his life, Brian saw a need in Batavia for a Fishing Club and started it at Batavia High School in the 2005-06 school year. Later, IHSA approved fishing as an activity and they were changed to a Fishing Team. Brian was on the committee that helped the IHSA establish the Fishing Teams and was very proud of that accomplishment. But that wasn’t enough for Brian, he then wanted to expand the opportunities for High School students to compete in more than just the Sectional and State matches through the IHSA, and worked to establish the Illinois Bass Fishing Coaches Association (IBFCA) and later the (ICASSTT) or Illinois Coaches and Students State Tournament Trail of competitions. ICASSTT tournaments take place across the state nearly year-round. The championship this year will have over 70 boats competing on June 4th and 5th at Lake Springfield.
When asked about the proudest moments he has shared with his student-athletes, Brian shared that several of his former students have gone on to fish for college teams. Batavia Fishing Team won the IHSA Sectional in 2019 and has had a few state qualifying teams.
Prior to his role as the coach for the BHS Fishing Club, in his 30s, Brian fished the Professional Musky Tournament Trail for several years and qualified for the national championship several times. Upon his retirement from teaching at BHS after the 2022-23 school year, Brian is not planning to continue to fish professionally, but he does plan to continue to support the high school athletes. When asked about the future of competitive fishing at the high school level, Brian said, “I expect the sport to grow. I am currently the President of the IBFCA and have watched the ICASSTT series of competitions grow to new heights each year, hosting tournaments with over 100 boats in them all over the state of Illinois.”
Brian has shared his love of fishing with his family. His son is an avid fisherman, his daughters fish when they are at their family cabin, and his sons-in-law are becoming hooked on the sport.
For more information on the BHS IHSA Fishing Team and all other BHS Activities and Clubs, visit https://bhs.bps101.net/clubs/
For more information on the Illinois Conservation Foundation Gala where Brian will be inducted into their Hall of Honor, please visit https://ilconservation.org/Events/Gala