By Brooke Reynolds
Sports Writer
Every year athletic director and coach for Hayesville Middle School, Tammy Dills, puts every ounce of energy and heart into a fundraiser to raise funds for middle school athletics. These funds will go towards buying new uniforms, new equipment, paying assistant coaches and much more. This is accomplished through a huge bass fishing tournament on Lake Chatuge called “Casting for Athletes” and this year's event will be the fifth annual tournament on April 27.
The payout for the tournament is a guaranteed $5,000 and any boat after 60 will grant another placement. Last year with 106 boats registered the payout was over $12,750 with 20 places that were awarded by weight of fish as well as more than 90 raffle items raffled off.
Last year the tournament registered more than 100 boats, used two docks to load boats into the lake and raised enough money to supply new equipment for the weight room. Not only does the registration fee provide a source of funds, but there is also a raffle of which students athletes in the middle school are responsible for selling. These raffles include a variety of items from a big green egg, donated by Mountain Valley Feed Store, to a week at a beach house, donated by a local community member, and everything in between. One important thing to note about the raffles is that every item is donated by people and businesses of the community that want to see the programs at Hayesville succeed. If you see a student walking around trying to sell these tickets, make sure you stop them and buy some. The morning of the tournament, a community business provides breakfast and coffee for the anglers and there are raffles specifically for the anglers that register a boat.
This fundraising event is a lot of hard work with an incredible outcome. The passion and love Dills has for her students and school is unmatched. If you are an angler and want to participate in helping a school program, consider reaching out to Dills and registering for the tournament. You can reach her through Facebook, stop by the middle school gym or through her email: tammy.dills@clayschools.org to register your boat.
There are currently 57 boats registered, let's beat last year's record of 106 boats. If this is the first time you are hearing about this amazing event and are interested in supporting the program for next year through a sponsorship, raffle gift item donation or just volunteering, reach out as well and get connected. Without the support from the community through sponsorships, raffle item donations, volunteers and anglers willing to participate, this tournament would not be possible. Dills has been told that it is one of the best tournaments offered in this area and that is because of the hard work and heart that Dills puts into it year after year. Just like she does the programs at Hayesville.