ANGLERS @ USC began its venture in the spring semester of 2009. A transfer student, Stephen Britt, a then junior at the University, discovered that South Carolina lacked a fishing team. As the University of South Carolina is in the heart of many prime tournament trails Britt was shocked to make this discovery. After contacting and speaking with many school officials the process of forming a team began. The first unofficial meeting held on January 26, 2009 drew the attention of five students, one of which being Britt. During this meeting the name of USC Anglers was adopted by those in attendance to be the official name of the team. (Later during the Spring semester of 2009, the team adopted the name ANGLERS @ USC in order to be in accordance with university regulations.) The name of “ANGLERS” was chosen so to not limit the team as to what species the team could eventually compete for. As the team was formed around a bass fishing trail, those attending considered the team growing into a club with many segments, to include; saltwater competition and walleye tournaments.

Two of the students from the first meeting never showed again and the remaining three spread the word through friends and other organizations across campus. Over the first semester the team grew to nine active members and attended four events, finishing as high as 16th place. The nine members elected to have four executive positions to assist the growth of the team. The positions included: President, Vice President, Treasurer and a Secretary. The elected President for the first season was Stephen Britt, the elected Vice President was Justin Atkins, the elected Treasurer was Christopher “Riff” Browning and the elected Secretary was Robert “Chuck” Burris. Over the first semester the team contacted and signed up to three faculty advisors before approval was given by the organizational governing body. The founding advisor for the team was Professor Jason Bakos. Jason Bakos an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of South Carolina agreed to be the advisor after being contact by Burris, the team founding Secretary.

ANGLERS @ USC was declared an official student organization on the 1st day of October in the year 2009 by the University of South Carolina. After becoming official, recognition of the team grew rapidly and many more students became involved. By the end of the fall semester in 2009 the team had grown to 16 members with 7 executive positions. In the last meeting of the 2009 fall semester the team voted to form a business plan that would consist of sponsorships and supporters from companies, organizations and individuals that would assist the team in growth and in competition. That plan has been put in place and the club has been growing and improving ever since.

SOFISH