Dr. Jack A. Di Palma, professor of medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, is currently USA’s Bass Fishing Team faculty advisor. While fishing has been a hobby of Dr. Di Palma’s for years, he recently had the opportunity to help organize the team’s first college series bass fishing championship.
“Fishing has been my favorite hobby during the last 20 years,” said Dr. Di Palma, who also directs the USA Digestive Health Center and the division of gastroenterology. “I have fished locally and at various places across the country including Alaska, Colorado, the Great Smokey Mountains, Wyoming, Seattle, Cape Cod and Florida.”
Although Dr. Di Palma enjoys fishing as a hobby and interacting with students, he feels privileged to have had the opportunity to help establish the USA Bass Fishing Team in 2008.
“I have been involved since the very beginning, helping with coordinating activities, administrative compliance and financial matters,” Dr. Di Palma said. “Their tournament and championship this year is especially exciting because it is the first collegiate championship held in Mobile, Ala., and the first sponsored by a team affiliated with USA.”
The team is holding its first College Fall Series fishing championship presented by Ono Performance Sunglasses. The three-event series kicked off August 27, 2011, at Lake Point Marina on Lake Eufaula, Ala. Teams that compete in two of the three events qualify for the year-end championship held on the Mobile Delta out of Chocolata Landing November 4th and 5th.
“I feel very fortunate to be a part of the club,” Dr. Di Palma said. “Bass fishing was my first big introduction to fishing and I have enjoyed working with the students on the USA Bass Fishing Team.”
Fishing also plays a part in Dr. Di Palma’s life as a way to spend time with family.
“I am fortunate that my wife, Ann, is my favorite fishing partner,” Dr. Di Palma said.
