UR Fishing Tournament brings Retiree back year after year

Every year, the annual University of Richmond fishing tournament brings new memories, a new beloved fishing themed promo gift, and, perhaps most importantly, new award recipients. As part of the tournament’s greatly anticipated award ceremony, six awards are given each year to four different age classes: Largest Fish, Smallest Fish, Most Fish, Most Die Hard Angler, Most Unlucky Angler, and Best Sport. Originally started as a sustainability measure to clean out the fish from the lake, the fishing tournament has turned into a longstanding tradition for countless families throughout the years, and creates an opportunity for UR faculty and staff to meet each other’s families and spend time together outside of their daily work activities.

Retiree, Clinton Ford, is no exception. Ford continues to enjoy many UR community perks as a retiree, such as Springfest and visiting old Dining Services colleagues. “Retirees add a great deal to our University by visiting and participating in University activities. Clint stops by to say hello to everyone and give current employees a bit of encouragement…He epitomizes the leadership role that retirees hold [at UR],” adds his former supervisor, Jerry Clemmer. However, Ford’s favorite campus event continues to be the fishing tournament year after year. In fact, he has been to 26 out of 29 UR fishing tournaments. Ford received his first award, the Most Unlucky Angler, in 1995 when he caught a fish but left to get a bucket and returned to find that it had escaped. This year, he won the Die Hard Angler award for his commitment and dedication to the event. “My son nominated me for the award and I didn’t even know it. I was so surprised when they called my name!” he says.

Ford isn’t the only one who looks forward to the event. The fishing tournament is free for employees, retirees, and their families or guests and includes refreshments and lunch for all registrants. Many sons and daughters of UR employees still proudly boast their small trophies.

Clinton Ford agrees that he’s had some years where he caught more fish than others. “But you know what they say,” he adds, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.”