CROOKSTON, Minn. – A fishing tournament in memory of Justin Knebel, who played basketball for the University of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles, will be held on Lake of the Woods at Zippel Bay Resort, Williams, Minn. The tournament, scheduled for Saturday, February 5, 2011, honors the memory of Knebel who loved the Warroad area and outdoor sports in Minnesota.
Registration is at 10 a.m. on the ice at the tournament site with fishing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the first person to catch a fish, the smallest fish caught, along with prizes for the largest walleye, northern, sauger, and perch caught during the tournament.
Tickets are available for $25 by contacting Alysa Tulibaski at 218-281-8570 or Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8436. Tickets are also available at Zippel Bay Resort, 6080 39th St. NW, Williams, Minn., 800-222-2537. All proceeds from the tournament support the Justin Knebel Memorial Scholarship Fund benefiting students at the U of M, Crookston.
Knebel grew up in Warroad, Minn., graduating from Warroad High School in 2001. A talented athlete, he lettered in basketball, cross country, and track. After graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota, Crookston where he played basketball as a point guard for the Golden Eagles. Head Basketball Coach Jeff Oseth describes him as the ultimate team player working hard on the court and in the classroom.
In the fall of 2002, Knebel became ill and was unable to participate with the team in conditioning but eventually was cleared to resume activity by his doctor. The evening before the first official practice was to begin, Knebel passed away unexpectedly from complications but left behind a legacy of dedication, determination, and a drive to excel.
For more information on the tournament, visit www.umcrookston.edu/justinknebel.
