By Lee Roberts

TIAA Executive Director

At the end of the day, more than 120 fishing participants heard tall tales of the big fish that got away. All that is except for the winners of the biggest stringer, speckled trout and red fish during the 2008 Texas Independent Automotive Association Scholarship Fishing Tournament held in Port Aransas, Texas Aug. 2, 2008.

(Left to right) Kyle Kuenemann, Matt and Leigh Slaughter, and Courtney Nesloney show off their catch that won them the heaviest stringer award. (Photos by Lee Roberts)

Luke Harms, owner of Sanford Auto Service in San Antonio, organized the fundraising event and called it very successful, especially given the fact that participation doubled from last year, and more than $2,800 has been added to the association’s scholarship coffer.

"I think it went really well. We had a great turnout," Harms said. "It was good support for TIAA. Everyone did a great job and everything went real smooth. The ultimate goal here is for everyone to have fun, but besides that, our goal is to raise money. If everyone continues to have fun we’ll continue to have more support, which will put us at our end goal of raising money for scholarships."

Oscar Gonzales, co-owner of High Tech Automotive in San Antonio, hauls in the largest red fish.

Harms thanked the many sponsors. He especially noted how Pete Beltran of Golden West Oil Company not only contributed, but helped gain additional sponsorships and support for the event.

Mike Van Den Berghe (Left), owner of Thrash Automotive in San Antonio, receives The Boat Cleat Award from event organizer Luke Harms, owner of Sanford Auto Service, also in San Antonio. The award is given each year to the person or boat with the worst luck or mishaps.

The fishing participants enjoyed a catered meal and drink, received door prizes, and then the winners were recognized.

Kyle Kuenemann, Matt and Leigh Slaughter, and Courtney Nesloney won the heaviest stringer award; Raymond Sanchez took the largest speckled trout award; Oscar Gonzales, co-owner of High Tech Automotive in San Antonio, hauled in the largest red fish; and Mike Van Den Berghe, owner of Thrash Automotive in San Antonio, captured the Boat Cleat Award, given each year to the person or boat with the worst luck or mishaps.

Raymond Sanchez (Left), an independent operator for Oro Wheat Bread in San Antonio, receives The Largest Speckled Trout Award from event organizer Luke Harms, owner of Sanford Auto Service, also in San Antonio.

Lori Foshee, wife Grady Foshee and co-owner of Roadrunner Body & Paint in Austin, Texas, said they came to support TIAA and the scholarship program. She said she was impressed by the large turnout and had a lot of fun even though she didn’t have a lot of luck fishing. Still, she did catch a big speckled trout until right before returning to the Port Aransas Pavilion for the post-tournament festivities.

"I got the best loser. I caught the second biggest trout, but there wasn’t any award for second place," she explained. "We had a good time. The wind was great. It kept us cool, I thought, in the heat. I thought it was beautiful out there."

Event Sponsors

TIAA would like to thank the following sponsors that supported the event. Without their help, it would not be possible for TIAA to award scholarships to worthy Texan students enrolled in automotive vocation programs across the state. (They are listed in no particular order)

Golden West Oil

NAPA Auto Parts

Diesel Injection

Avery Oil

Walton Distributing

Interstate Battery

1-800 Radiator

Frost Insurance Agency

Carlisle Auto Air

Belden’s Automotive

Maine Line Insurance

Driveshaft Specialist

Thrash Differential

Full Service Auto Parts

Matco Tools

(This article published in the Topics 2008 Summer Issue)