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ESF Bass Fishing Team Qualifies for Bassmaster College National Championship
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — July 8, 2025 — SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) students Dominic Begier and Erich Thompson have qualified for the Bassmaster College National Championship, taking place July 10–12 on Lake Cherokee in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
Their strong finishes in recent tournaments on Cayuga and Seneca lakes secured their spot in the national event.
Begier, a senior majoring in natural resource management, served as team president for the 2024–25 academic year. Thompson, a junior studying environmental resource engineering, will step into the role for the coming year. Together, they’ve helped lead the ESF Bass Fishing Team both on and off the water by organizing events such as the team’s annual Autism Awareness fundraiser, which raised over $1,000 for My Little Buddy’s Boat, a nonprofit that introduces children with autism to fishing.
Follow the team’s progress on Instagram (@esf_bassmasters), Facebook, or at bassmaster.com.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.