For anyone that has never met or had an interaction with High Point University Club Sports Bass Fishing Coach Bill Frazier, you are truly missing out. Shortly after accepting the position of Communications and Media Coordinator for the HPU Club Sports program, I had lunch with Bill at a local High Point eatery.

I quickly learned that Coach Frazier was someone that was both a BBQ connoisseur and that he capitalized on his degree in chemistry and international business from High Point in 1984. He was reminiscent of my grandfather in that he not only understood things on a technical level, but he could apply those skills on a professional level all the while explaining it so that it broke it down for me. 

Frazier, who serves as a Laboratory Manager for the City of High Point's Regional Water Resources and Public Health Department, could easily be described by this writer as someone who was 'born for that position.' Furthermore, it could be added that any position that puts Frazier in, around or near the water, is a perfect one. 

Frazier, a lifelong angler, is a 41-year competition tournament angler with Bass Angler Sportsman's Society (B.A.S.S.). He is a two-time state qualifier champion for the national crown and serves as the North Carolina B.A.S.S. Conservation Director. In short, that role allows state conservation directors to work with federal and state agencies, so bass anglers have a seat at the table when management decisions are being made. The B.A.S.S. Conservation is an active participant on the Sport Fishing & Boating Partnership Council, on committees of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and the American Fisheries Society as well as other professional associations that focus on resource policy and fishery management.

Frazier didn't stop there in his contributions to the fishing world as he has initiated multiple projects in North Carolina, including its BASS Fishing Trail, which develops and deploys learning tools for young anglers then provides then a map with instructions on how to fish them using concepts of seasonal movements and habitat management. That initiation has expanded to a nationwide effort.

He was an original board member of the Lake Gaston Aquatic Plant Management Council where the concept of combating invasive weeds by installing native plants, a concept that has been adopted nationally. Frazier was the co-founder of the North Carolina F1 projects boosting genetics to supplement native stocks of large-mouth bass with bigger and better quality fisheries, also a project that is reaching across multiple states. Through the North Carolina Sportsman's Caucus, Frazier actively works with state and federal wildlife agencies and government bodies to support and develop better heritage outdoor sports opportunities for all.

Frazier recently shared his thoughts on his role as the Bass Fishing Coach for the High Point University Club Sports program and said the following: 

Hometown: 
Memphis, Tenn. However, I have lived in and around High Point 52 years.

Most memorable moment as an athlete? 
Winning my first tournament - Oak Hollow, out of a rented Jon boat with a Coke Cola ice chest rigged up as a LiveWell. A virtually inseparable #2 would be serving as Conservation Director for NC BASS helping with fish care for the 15-world championship BASSMaster's Classic. 

Most memorable moment as a coach?
Watching them light up on an idea they have been presented - understanding it then implementing it successfully. 

What animal describes you best and why? 
No question my spirit animal is a Border or Aussie. Everything about its nature and life I can totally identify with. 

What is it that motivates you about coaching at High Point University? 
Loyalty... to a fault. ALWAYS has been my superpower and I live it devoutly. I would not be where I am in my life if it had not been for graduating here, have proven it many times over other institutions and will be forever grateful. 

How would you describe your coaching style? 
Teaching and encouraging building the better beast THEIR way. Not all of our participants want to be Kevin Van Dam. Some are happy to just play at their level and learn. It's about them being better and getting what they want. Not me.

Most importantly, why should a student consider playing club sports at High Point University? 
Same as last answer really with an addition. One of the students I met at the National Recruiting Combine came up to me at a fishing expo Saturday. He was just as enthusiastic about our program as the first time I met him trying to recruit for our team but was clear he needed perks we were not offering at the time. He asked how we were progressing. I explained some of the real steps we are taking and he clearly stated he wished he had not committed to the college he did now.

I think what we are projecting in our overall community is an undeniable draw. It is extraordinary. Even if we are not up to the level of other major university fishing program yet, for this young man to express regret he had committed to someone else already makes a clear statement about what we are, and will bring, to the program down the road. But, most importantly, it is about potential. Their potential is improving because of our potential - that really is what fishing is all about and OUR athletes don't end their careers at college... when we advertise as a life skills university, THIS SPORT, is exactly that. They can and will hang on to it the rest of their lives. If the bug ever bites you, it becomes a lifestyle.