KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Army’s Outdoor Team will be spotlighted to thousands of avid fishing fans from around the country as part of the iconic Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota March 24-26. The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army is recognized as fishing’s biggest consumer show and annually draws 200 exhibitors ranging from major international brands to local retailers.

“The Army Outdoor Team connects with America through the shared passion of outdoor sports,” said MSG Josh Watkins, one of two soldiers who, along with SFC Daniel Hodge, travels the country participating in key fishing tournaments and appearing at local venues. “We are armed with the latest outdoor gear, including a bass boat.”

Launched two years ago, the Army Outdoor Team uses the latest gear and soldier savvy to show their skills nationwide. The team is part of the Mission Support Battalion from Fort Knox, Ky. The battalion is co-located with its headquarters, the Army Marketing and Engagement Brigade.

The Outdoors Expo is one of the main attractions of the Bassmaster Classic, which drew 153,809 spectators and tourists from across the U.S. and multiple countries to Knoxville in 2019 and was a major contributor to the $32.2 million economic impact for Knoxville and east Tennessee, according to a report released by the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission.

The 2023 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota Outdoors Expo presented by the U.S. Army will take place across the Knoxville Convention Center and adjacent World’s Fair Exhibition Hall and is B.A.S.S.’s largest show to date.

To learn more about opportunities in the Army, visit goarmy.com.

The Bassmaster Classic is being hosted by Visit Knoxville.

2023 Bassmaster Classic Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors
2023 Bassmaster Classic Presenting Sponsor: Toyota
2023 Bassmaster Classic Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2023 Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo Presenting Sponsor: U.S. Army
2023 Bassmaster Classic Local Partners: Calhoun’s, Lithium Pros, Tennessee Tourism, TNT Fireworks, TVA
2023 Bassmaster Classic Host: Visit Knoxville

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About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.