Doug Woog named Keynote speaker at 2016 Enshrinement Ceremony
Mar 12th, 2016 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Mar 12th, 2016 at 12:00 AM
Doug Woog (far right), with his two sons Steve (left) & Dan (middle) enjoying the great sport of fishing.
Woog Keynote Speaker At Minnesota Fishing Hall Of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
BAXTER, MN-March 8, 2016-Hockey legend Doug Woog will serve as keynote speaker at The
Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota’s annual induction ceremony set for April 1, 2016 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Woog coached the University of Minnesota Gopher men’s hockey team to 389 victories while at the helm from 1985 to 1999. In addition, he was assistant coach of the 1984 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team, is a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and a veteran broadcaster.
Though recognized for his hockey-related accomplishments, Woog is also a lifelong angler.
“I had a fishing pole in my hand before I ever held a hockey stick,” he notes, explaining that his love for the sport stems from its many challenges, variables and the thrill of competition.
“While fishing was probably the break I needed from hockey, I never considered it a relaxing recreational activity,” he says. “It was, instead, the thrill of a different type of competition that kept me loving the sport of angling.”
Although hockey claimed much of his time during the ice fishing season, Woog has for years been an avid open-water angler, and has enjoyed a Canadian fishing trip with his sons Dan and Steve for 37 years straight.
Over the years, Woog has shared this passion for the sport in numerous ways, including providing fishing opportunities to youngsters participating in his annual week-long hockey camps. “We offered fishing as one of our outdoor activities, because I believe it’s important for kids to participate in things in addition to hockey,” he explains.
Timed to coincide with the Northwest Sportshow, the Hall of Fame induction is open to the public. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with a full breakfast served at 8 a.m. and the ceremony beginning at 8:30, followed by a special “Meet and Greet” session with Woog and the fishing legends.
Three legendary anglers and two organizations will be enshrined during the ceremony. Inductees in the “Legends” category include longtime guide and educator Royal Karels, acclaimed photographer Bill Lindner, and veteran tournament pro and educator Bruce “Doc” Samson. The Minnesota Fishing Museum and Frankie’s Bait & Marine will join the ranks of “Legendary Organizations.”
Woog said addressing current Hall of Famers and incoming legends was an honor. “These familiar Minnesota names have always interested me,” he said. “I feel like professional anglers and those immersed in the sport of fishing are probably a lot like me-people who felt like they never got up in the morning to go to a ‘job.’ Instead, we probably share the same gratitude of having had the opportunity to do what we love and have a passion for every day. It’s an honor to speak to these fishing celebrities who are in the top of their class, and to recognize each of their extraordinary achievements.”
Based in the Brainerd Lakes Area, the Hall of Fame annually recognizes up to three individuals and two groups or organizations that have made a major impact on Minnesota’s sport fishing industry. As a non-profit outreach organization, the Hall is also dedicated to teaching Minnesotans about the state’s fishing history and preserving its future.
Tickets for the induction ceremony are on sale now and going fast, with limited seating available. General admission seats are $25, which includes the Meet and Greet session, free coffee and admission to the Northwest Sportshow. VIP tickets cost $50 and include full breakfast, table seating adjacent to the stage, a supporting membership to the Hall of Fame and show admission.
Special thanks to these fine organizations for their event sponsorship; Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters, Clam Corp, Evinrude/BRP, Garmin, Fishing the Wildside, The Outdoor Report, Classic Bass, Frankies Marine.
Please mark your calendars to join us on Friday April 1, 2016 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. For details or to purchase tickets, visit www.fishinghalloffamemn.com.