On Assignment:
Behind the Scenes with the
Skeet Reese at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic
(continued)
Well,
with the booth broken down and some final things to run up to the room before
heading to the Classic, most of the group headed for the friends and family bus.
Kim, I and the two girls ran a few things back up the room and got the girls
ready for the weigh in. I have to say, Kim held it together pretty well, but
there was no doubt she had to be the most anxious person in Shreveport, or so I
thought. On the elevator down to the bus Kim and I discussed the standings when
I told her, I know Ike and he generally estimates a little high on his weights.
On the other hand, Skeet usually sand bags a little, meaning he under estimates
the size of his fish. I didn’t realize I knew so much about their fish weighing
skills but, I guess when you pay close attention on BassZone.com to each
tournament you get a pretty good idea how they estimate fish sizes. I don’t
think this eased her anxiety any so we agreed we wouldn’t talk about it any more
and we wouldn’t let anyone else discuss it with us either. Onto the bus we
climbed where we took our seats and that 20 minute bus ride started.
All the pros wanted the lucky
necklace, Joe Thomas was no exception
So now I am sitting right
between three time runner up Aaron Martens’ wife and Skeet’s wife. They exchange
some kind words to each other and Lesley asked to sit together at the arena so
the kids could play a little (Aaron and Lesley have two kids as well). Lesley
was also very anxious and with the close calls at three of the last few
Bassmaster Classics I can’t say that I blame her. Aaron has finished in second
three times and another second just might be too much to handle. I thought long
and hard for twenty minutes about what I might say to ease their anxieties and
no matter how long I thought I came up empty on new topics. So for the most
part we made the ride saying very little.
Pulling into the arena
parking lot it was a fantastic sight. The fans were lined up around the parking
lot, back and forth. Imagine the longest line you’ve seen for a ride at
Disneyland and multiply it by 10 or 20. I had no idea the turn out would be
anything like it was. BASS, Shreveport and Bossier did a fantastic job promoting
this event and this was the climax of the event. The friends and family bus
pulled up behind the arena and they ushered us backstage. This is where they had
us wait while they finished the rehearsals with the BASS staff and the fireworks
crew. There were a few reports on weights but, nothing to solid to give our
group any real idea of who won. In fact, Skeet later reported he wasn’t even
sure if he had won. He said he did a lot of math backstage and still didn’t
know which way it was going to fall until he saw it on the scales.
A new champion is crowned, let the
fireworks begin!
While waiting I jokingly
mentioned to Gary, one of Skeet’s good friends, that I had given one of the
“lucky charm” necklaces to Ike for the third day and I hope that didn’t give him
the boost he needed to win it. I got a comment or two (in good fun) from some of
the others in our group. When we finally got to our seats and got settled in we
had about an hour and a half to hold it together before the results were in.
Kim was pretty calm considering the circumstances, she held it together about as
good as could be expected. I think the girls helped out keeping the mood light
and her mind off the events about to unfold.
Is Skeet under there?!
Sitting directly next to
me was the family of Federation Nation qualifier Bryan Schmidt. This was the
loudest bunch in the entire arena. Dressed in bright purple t-shirts with
Bryan’s name on them, this crew came complete with everything to make noise
including cow bells. Bryan was having a great tournament and sat in the top 12.
They were from a nearby town in Texas. Bryan weighed in 22 pounds 1 ounce on day
three to temporarily take the lead. My ears are still ringing, but it was worth
it, they were super nice people and Bryan had a fantastic tournament finishing
in 6th place.
Skeet talks about his victory
Soon after Ike weighed in
his 20 pounds 3 ounce sack and took the lead. That’s a heck of comeback from the
former Angler of the Year and Bassmaster Classic champion. That’s when the BASS
representatives showed up and put a microphone on Kim. That shook her up pretty
good, but knew it was a good sign. After she was wired up they ushered her down
to the side of the stage with the girls. The rest of us were in the family
section waiting for the super six to come out. Out came the super six to a huge
roar and the final weigh ins began to unfold. We knew it was between Ike, Aaron
and Skeet and we were about to find out who won. Aaron weighed in and Ike
remained on top in the standings. Aaron will get his own Classic title
eventually, but 2009 was not the year.
Skeet fights back the tears of joy
One of the things that I
remember most about the Classic was the interviews with Ike in between the
others weighing in. Ike couldn’t have been more courteous and professional. I
didn’t write it down at the time, but he referred to Skeet’s hard work over the
years and his deserving of the title, if he should win. He also said, win or
lose he’ll be back so watch out. Honestly, Ike’s one of those guys you either
love or hate, but had ESPN showed his onstage interviews he’d for sure have
swayed many fans to the “love Ike” side.
The rest is probably
already know by the majority of BASS fans, Skeet brought up 16 pounds and 12
ounces, enough to take the lead and win the Bassmaster Classic. Skeet handled it
with class, no dancing and not much celebrating to be honest. I think he was
more stunned and shocked by his accomplishment than even he could have ever
imagined. In our section there was celebrating going on as well. High fives,
hugs and more around the group and it was time to find our way back stage. I
don’t think us getting back stage was part of BASS’s plan but, we were going to
find a way back there. After a few minutes we found Skeet where we all gave him
some congrats and he thanked us all for being there and invited us to the
champagne toast, trophy and ring presentation back at the ballroom in the
hotel.
Skeet at the ballroom makes a
speech and accepts the Classic Champion ring
We had some work to do
before we could go back to the hotel. First we had to finish getting the booth
ready and out of the Expo. So while the rest of the crew finished up the booth,
I updated Skeet’s website with his new Bassmaster Classic Champion photo on the
front page of his site. Skeet had a number of press conferences and some other
things to partake in so we wouldn’t see him for an hour or two. When we arrived
back at the hotel we hung around and chatted with many of the other anglers
while waiting for Skeet to arrive. It was good to catch up with Ish Monroe,
Byron and Mary, Dean Rojas and more while we waited for Skeet to arrive. I also
talked with Biosonix rep. Wes Higgins about the Biosonix units part of Skeet’s
victory. That’s another thing ESPN didn’t really show. Some of Skeet’s first
words were that he really thought running the Biosonix unit turned the fish on
and made the difference for him. Wes told me that KVD’s and soon Skeet’s
patterns would be available for download for Biosonix owners in the near future,
so stay tuned for that.
After the final presentation Skeet
takes time to sign more autographs
When Skeet finally arrived
he made his way into the ballroom where they quickly brought him to the front
and presented him with his Bassmaster Classic Champion ring. Skeet gave a great
speech where he thanked his fans, his sponsors and his family for being there
and supporting him. From the moment Skeet won until about…well, maybe sometime
next week, Skeet’ll be fighting back the tears of victory. Skeet then posed for
pictures and signed autographs for several hours before wrapping up and heading
to the bar. That’s when Skeet opened the bar tab for everyone in attendance and
took the time to relax and chat with friends, family and his fellow
competitors. I am not sure this article does the experience any justice as it
was something that I along with everyone else in Skeet’s entourage this weekend
won’t soon forget. Skeet’s going to make a great Champion for the sport.
Congratulations Skeet and thanks for bringing me along for the ride!
Congratulations to Skeet,
and thanks to our Contributing Editor Tom "Leo" Leogrande for this inside look
into what happened behind the scenes at the Classic
