Sportsperson-of-the-Year Dinner

By Paul Turi, Co-Chairman

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association December 2011 Newsletter)

On Sunday, November 13th, JCAA held its annual Sportsperson-of-the-Year award dinner at the beautiful Crystal Pt. Yacht Club in Pt. Pleasant. This year's honoree was Senator Bob Smith. Senator Smith was nominated for this award by the Berkeley Striper Club and was elected by JCAA member clubs at our general membership meeting in October. On behalf of the JCAA and its member clubs, I would like to congratulate Senator Smith on being elected this year's sportsperson-of-the-year.

On hand to honor Senator Smith was our keynote speaker for the evening, Senator Robert Menendez. Also in attendance was Congressman Frank Pallone.

JCAA's Youth Education Committee, represented by Paul Smith, presented this year's Youth Education Award to representatives of Trout Unlimited for their promotion of youth fishing.

This affair is JCAA's second largest fundraiser, and as of this writing I can report that it was very successful. It should be noted that this event could not have taken place without the generosity of the many people and companies that donated the many different items that were auctioned off and given away as door prizes. I would be remiss if I did not mention each and every one of them because JCAA could not exist without their generosity and support.

The following is a listing of all our sponsors who donated prizes, and on behalf of JCAA, I would like to thank each and every one of them:

Albivi's Brick Oven	Atlantic Bait & Tackle
Barnegat Bait & Tackle	Bay View Restaurant
Betts Tackle LTD	Big Bass King
Big Ed's Custom Rods	Bimini Bay
Bob's Bay Marina	Brunch Spot
Canyon Reels	Capt. Cal
Capt. Paul Eidman	Chambliss Marine
Crystal Diner	Eileen Smith
F.J. Neil Co.	Fish Bonz
Fisherman Magazine	Fisherman's Den
Fisherman's Headquarters	Fisherman's Supply
Frabill, Inc.	Frank Tenore
Grumpy's Bait & Tackle	Guy Harvey
Hi-Mar Striper Club	Horizon Diner
Interlux Paints	Investors Savings
Jersey Coast Shark Anglers	Jersey Hooker
Jingles Bait & Tackle	Julian's Bait Co, Inc.
Kevin's Lures	Kristy's Restaurant
L & H Woods & Water	L&S Bait Co.
Lacey Marine	Lamiglas
Long Branch Bait & Tackle	Minn Kota
Miss Belmar	Yo-Zuri America
Sandy Hook Bay Anglers	MV Tackle
Norma K III	Ocean Explorer
Oceanside Bait & Tackle	Paul & Linda Haertel
Pell's Fish & Sport	Pradco Outdoor Brands
Rhode Island Poppers	South Harbor Marina
NJ Beach Buggy Assoc.	Murphy's Hook House
Sportsman Center	Surf City Bait & Tackle
The Bait Shop	Tony Maja's Products
Triangle Sport	Uncle Josh Bait co.
Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County

Special thanks to Dr. Pat Donnelly for the terrific job he did again this year as our Master of Ceremonies.

I would also like to thank the following fishing clubs that took a table of 10:

Jersey Coast Shark Anglers
Sandy Hook Bay Anglers
Berkley Striper Club
Newark Bait & Fly Casters
Forked River Tuna Club
Hi-Mar Striper Club
Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association
Manasquan Fishing Club
Saltwater Angler's of Bergen County

I would also like to thank the many individuals who also attended and who have shown their support of the JCAA.

Also, special thanks to Dan & Heather Miller who handled the ticket sales. I would also like to thank Don & Al Marantz, Tom Fote, Mark Taylor, Frank Richetti, John Toth, Ed Cherry, Paul & Linda Haertel, Bruce Smith, Joe Puntasecca and Eileen Smith.

I hope I have gotten everyone and every company and club that participated to make this event a successful one this year. If anyone has fallen through the cracks and I have neglected to mention them, I apologize in advance. I have made every effort to keep accurate records, but, unfortunately, not everything gets into my hands the way I would like it to.

Again, on behalf of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, thank you, everyone!

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