I know there are some of you out there wondering why you opened the sports page of the Wabash web site and saw two guys standing by jet skis and a story about fishing as the lead item. Particularly going into a big Homecoming weekend.

I'll be the first to admit for years I never thought of fishing as a "sport." I had the opportunity years ago to spend a week in Canada on a fishing trip (one of those spoils of being the production director of a newspaper and print shop). I enjoyed the trip, but I just never got the thrill of fishing.

I am, however, one of those people who can watch poker on TV (when I'm not playing it) and enjoy every second of it. To me, I understand poker, chess, or similar games being consider a "sport" by the fans. I don't try to explain it. It really is a personal thing. I will even admit publicly I watch curling when it's on TV during the winter Olympics. I don't know why, but it fascinates me. And I've even learned to enjoy equestrian events on television thanks to two friends who have taught me the basics of the sport.

My neighbor really started changing my mind about fishing. Dan is a professional bass fisherman. He goes to tournaments all the time, and can earn some big prize money. So let's see --- physical activity that provides income and requires preparation and training. So what's different about that from any other sport we enjoy in person or on television.

The men of Wabash constantly surprise me. A few years ago I wrote a story in the alumni magazine about one of our students who became a professional bull rider. He traveled (on his own) to rodeos, trained, and eventually became ranked in the national polls (another sign you're a sport). I watched our ultimate disc team play a weekend tournament last year (and I've tried to play the game with our cross country team a few times). I know that's a sport.

Now James Ket and Andrew Newkirk are competing at the highest level of the collegiate ranks in a fishing tournament. It reminds me a lot of Geoff Lambert battling at nationals last season. So you'll find a photo of James and Andrew on the main sports page, and when they win it all for themselves and Wabash this weekend, you'll find them right back there again.