June 23, 2005 at 8:46 a.m.
Lindstrom pro angler heads Randy Moss fishing tourney
Lindstrom pro angler heads Randy Moss fishing tourney
Laub, a Lindstrom resident and longtime pro angler, is excited to be organizing the tournament, set for June 28-29 on Lake Minnetonka.
He said Moss is a big fisherman, so it was easy to entice him into first coming up to the Chisago Lakes area to fish.
“He loves this area and the town,” Laub said. “This is Randy’s place to relax.” He said the two try to fish together once or twice a week in the area, whenever Moss is in Minnesota.
Over the years, the two talked about organizing a celebrity fishing tournament. When John Laub, Jr. became involved with the Smile Network International organization, Laub Sr. thought it would be a perfect fit for a charity tournament.
He talked to Moss about it and it was a done deal, Laub said.
Laub said he quickly took off with the idea and started collecting sponsors and signing up professional anglers and celebrities to participate.
Originally, he hoped to have the tournament on a Chisago County lake, but the size of the tourney would have made the logistics overwhelming. Laub then moved it to one of the metro area’s largest lakes, Lake Minnetonka.
Laub said their original goal was to raise $250,000 for Smile Network International, but it has grown so large as a first-time event, Laub isn’t sure what the final number will be for the charity.
Several sponsors have stepped up with generous donations, including Ranger Boats contributing $60,000 as the presenting sponsor of the tournament. Gold sponsors are K102, KFAN and Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka. Other top sponsors are Mercury Marine and Continental Diamond.
Laub has been trying to get the word out in the Chisago Lakes area about the tourney and has been talking to local businesses about sponsoring a boat. “There are still sponsorships open and spots on the boats,” Laub said.
Smile Network provides life altering, reconstructive surgeries and related healthcare services to impoverished children and young adults in developing countries. Laub Sr. said it is a wonderful organization that does “tremendous things” for children. His son has contributed thousands of dollars and a lot of time to the organization because it is something he believes strongly in, Laub Sr. said.
Services offered by Smile Network International are primarily low-cost surgeries to thousands of children born with facial deformities such as cleft lips and palates that can affect their mental and physical health.
During the months of organizing, Laub said he knew Moss might not be in a Vikings uniform much longer. Then, like other Vikes fans, he started hearing the trade rumors.
“When the rumors started and the trade was officially announced, everyone started calling to see if the tourney was still on – especially the sponsors,” Laub said.
He assured everyone that Moss was committed and excited to be a part of the tourney, whether or not he was still a member of the purple and gold.
“He’s excited about it and talking about doing it again next year,” Laub said. “He’s like a little kid.” Moss has been very involved in the planning since the beginning, Laub said.
Laub hopes it wil become an annual tournament and be touted as the largest charity fundraising fishing tournament in Minnesota.
The event will kick off with a private reception June 28 at Bellanotte/Escape in Minneapolis for the 150 participants. They will set off June 29 in teams of three to a boat, consisting of one pro angler, one participating sponsor and one celebrity.
Laub said the celebrities include professional athletes who received a personal invite from Moss to participate. “Randy took care of the sports guys – it’s a high caliber list of names that’s pretty awesome,” Laub said.
Among those scheduled to attend are: Michael Bennett, Jack Brewer, Jim Brunzell, Nate Burleson, Tracy Byrd, Tyrone Carter, Mary Delgado (from “The Bachelor”), Chuck Foreman, Jay Foreman, Brian Leighton, Phil Housley, Desmond Howard, Lance Johnstone, Jim Kleinsasser, Carrie Lee (Miss Minnesota), Jon Melander, Rian Melander, Jack Morris, Ron Schara, Dan Stetzler (MTV ‘Road Rules’), Matthew St. Patrick (HBO’s ‘Six Feet Under’), Dave Thomas, Byron Velvick (from “The Bachelor”), Amy Walford, Forrest L. Wood and Coral and Theo (from MTV’s ‘Real World’).
Even those not participating are welcome to attend the tourney. The public can watch the teams launch their boats beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning and later watch the weigh-ins and final ceremonies when prizes are awarded in the afternoon. In the meantime, they can enjoy games and children’s activities from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A $5 donation is requested at the door.
For more information, go to Laub’s Web site, teamlaub.com or the Web site for Smile Network International, smilenetwork.org.
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