2020 Kenders Sportsman of the Year ~Dan Rollings ~
2020 KENDERS SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
We awarded our Kenders Sportsman of the Year on the last Sunday of our season. We want to set ourselves apart from a standard fishing league by having the right people in our league and doing awesome things for the community - as a group. We approached Kenders 3 years ago to ask if they would like to sponsor this and Matt was all over it and thought it was an awesome idea.
We choose one person from the league each year who embodies what we are about. We look for the person who helps their fellow anglers, does the right thing when nobody is watching, helps to promote and grow Minnesota Made, provides valuable opinions, and is just an overall pleasure to be around.
We try and narrow it down to 3 people - which is very difficult. From there, we go through each person and list off the things they have done and what they mean to our league. Choosing one is not easy - we usually flip back and forth and finally come to agreement after everything is laid out there after a long conversation.
This year we chose an individual who is someone we can lean on to make tough decisions for the league. He helps his fellow anglers become better fisherman and takes them under his wing to help elevate their games. He volunteers when we have events or need some extra help with something outside of the league. He was able to secure some pretty great prizes for the Hometown Hero Event. On top of that, he’s one of the best anglers in the league. He’s a great guy and very deserving of this award.
2020 Kenders Sportsman of the Year
Dan Rollings
In Dan's Words:
Holy Smokes! The 2020 competitive ice fishing season is in the books! Every year it seems like it just started as soon as it ends, I'm guessing I'm not the only one who doesn't want it to end.
So, 2020 Kenders / MN Made Outdoors Sportsman of the Year?
Such an honor to even be writing about receiving this award knowing the class of anglers in this group. I just remember the past years winners - Tony Dahlberg & Dale Luginbill saying when they heard their name called as that years winner how caught off guard or surprised they were, now I know the feeling. To even be on the same stage as those two is very special, they are straight up good dudes!
So lets start from the beginning. My partner Scott Boersma and I started MN Made four years ago and like most anglers just joining, we thought one thing and reality set in very quickly. I'm sure some of you have heard the stories we had on our first outing. It's truly amazing how much you learn and how much you see others progress year after year.
After knowing where I stood within the pack after three years of competitive ice fishing, I went into the start of this season a little different then the first three seasons. My mom always gave me grief (good grief) for how competitive I was growing up. As I got older, I learned there are different ways to drive you at what we do best, one of my ways is giving back and sharing knowledge. Whether it's in my real estate career, giving my hunting spots/tips up or most of all helping anglers when they are in need. I'm sure at times that doesn't help me in the standings but that's part of me giving back, very rewarding especially when the person knows where it came from.
One of the most rewarding times of the 2020 ice season, right up with winning this amazing award was all the members of MN Made Outdoors had the opportunity to help support/sponsor the Hometown Hero Outdoors event - to provide law enforcement officers, military service members, and veterans with an amazing time on the ice in their own ice fishing tournament. Some of these members knew how and didn't need much guidance, my two anglers on the other hand, well lets just say I had a blast giving back, especially when I seen we won the biggest fish of the day. Thank you to MN Made Outdoors and Hometown Hero for that awesome day, hopefully many more to come!
I know all of you within the league now or in the past know that this league wouldn't be as amazing as it is without co-founders Jake Kuchenmeister & Paul Ghizoni doing what they do. I knew from my first meeting with these two, 4 years ago, it was going to be the perfect fit for me when I heard the #1 rule is NO Douchebags, that is still the #1 rule stated at the first of the year meeting!
I want to thank one of our huge sponsors Kenders Outdoors for what you do and what you supply for our league! You are a one of a kind sponsor/company and a pretty cool dude to fish with-:) I'm truly thankful and blessed to be a part of something that keeps the drive of ice angling that I love so much going week after week!
Tight Lines …. Dan Rollings
Thank you to Kenders for not only sponsoring this award but our entire league. Kenders is a huge part of Minnesota Made and we truly appreciate it.