Announcing the 4rd annual John Michael Baker Fishing Tournament taking place at the I.T. Parker Center at Harbor Towne Marina, Dania Beach, Florida on June 1, 2019. Over the past three years, the foundation has raised $150,000 to benefit scholarships at Saint Anthony and Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic schools and, in 2018, successfully deploying two reef projects off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. Again this year the foundation will team up with the Coastal Conservation Association Florida-Broward Chapter (CCA Broward) in an ongoing five-year artificial reef project.
John Michael Baker, known as Johnny, was involved in a tragic boat accident on the waterways of Fort Lauderdale on August 13, 2015. The accident involved six friends and classmates at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. Although they were all injured in some way, Johnny lost his life that night. Johnny’s family and friends including Lawrence Brandan Kelly wanted to make sure Johnny’s name is never forgotten. Inspired by Johnny’s passion for the water, the idea of a fishing tournament was born.
A memorial plaque celebrating Johnny’s passion for everything “ocean” now resides as a part of a dive reef in 70 feet of water just 1 mile of the coast of Fort Lauderdale. Proceeds from the John Michael Fishing Tournament will continue to fund additional reef projects and scholarships. Through sponsorships, donations and tournament participation, Johnny’s memory will live on through ocean conservation and the continuing support of student education.
For additional information about the fishing tournament or how you can be involved in supporting the reef project and scholarship donations in memory of Johnny, visit http://www.jmbfishingtournament.com, click donate now.
For additional information about the CCA visit www.ccaflorida.org/chapter/broward.