Southwestern Community College made it official, beginning this fall the college will field a bass fishing team for the first time in college history and Cory Dorsey of Corning will lead the Spartan anglers.
Dorsey, a lifetime bass fisherman, has competed locally, regionally, and nationally. During high school, Dorsey competed with the Cedar Rapids Jr. Bassmasters. Beginning his senior year of high school, he moved to a higher level of competition fishing with Iowa Premier Bass, a National Bass Anglers Association (NBAA)-affiliated organization. The first year Dorsey competed with Iowa Premier Bass, he qualified to fish the NBAA National Championship on Kentucky Lake. He has been affiliated with Indian Creek Lure Company since 2007.
Kim Bishop, Southwestern's dean of student services and athletic director, is excited about the hire and can't wait to have the new sport in place for Southwestern student-athletes.
"Creston is located in a region with an abundance of lakes allowing for prime fishing opportunities," stated Bishop. "Once our college administration made the commitment to pursue bass fishing as a collegiate sport, we needed a dynamic individual to spearhead the effort. After researching and getting to know Cory I am confident he is the individual we need to establish the program."
Bishop said when Dorsey comes onboard at Southwestern he will ultimately make practice and competition decisions; but, she said the team will practice and compete throughout the academic year as weather allows. The fishing team will practice two or three days per week and will likely have inner-squad competitions to determine team members who will travel and compete at tournaments.
"Cory is known far and wide not only for his fishing talent and expertise, but also as an individual with strong character, a great work ethic, and respect for the sport and competition," Bishop explained. "I can't wait to see him interact with student-athletes and develop this program for us."
Dorsey attended Southwestern's carpentry and building trades program, as well as Des Moines Area Community College's criminal justice program. In addition to coaching at Southwestern, he is a police officer for the Creston Police Department.
Dorsey said he is excited to get the bass fishing team off the ground at Southwestern.
"This area is full of young anglers who love to compete and the bass fishing team at SWCC is going to allow them to continue fishing at the collegiate level while pursuing their college education," said Dorsey. "I'm looking for the best anglers to take to the waters and put the Southwestern Community College Fishing Team on the map!"
He will begin recruiting for Southwestern's bass fishing program immediately. Students interested in pursuing bass fishing as a collegiate sport should email Dorsey at dorsey@swcciowa.edu or complete the online RECRUIT ME form.