College fraternities often get a lot of bad press – most of it self-inflicted – but it’s also newsworthy when a frat does something good, like the Sigma Tau Gamma Chapter at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. The chapter is holding a fishing tournament on Lake Norman Sunday to raise money for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation which works to increase awareness and secure funding for childhood and ovarian cancer initiatives.

The Sigma Tau Gamma tournametn will be held out of Pinnacle Landing with an entry fee of $60, which also covers the entry in the Big Fish contest. First place will pay $500, second $100 and 3rd $50, with a Big Fish prize of $200, based on at least 20 boats. Each winner will also receive a No. 78 camo baseball cap, autographed by NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr.

“We have a goal for fund-raising each year and normally we raise money for the Special Olympics, but we partnered with the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation for this tournament,” said tournament organizer Ben Hagar, who is also a member of the UNCC Bass Fishing Club. “Once all the prizes are paid out we will give the rest to the Foundation.”

Hagar said that almost all the money raised in entry fees will go to the Truex Foundation as the $500 first prize and the $200 Big Fish prize are sponsored by local businesses. 

The company of the father of one of the Sigma Tau Gamma brothers, Wastequip, LLC, based in Charlotte, is sponsoring the First Place prize. Wastequip is the leading North American manufacturer of waste and recycling equipment, offering a full line of steel and plastic products to collect, handle and transport waste and recyclables.

WIX Filters of Gastonia, N.C., which produces the No. 1 filter in motorsports, along with filters for automotive, diesel, agricultural and other industrial applications, is sponsoring the Big Fish cash prize. WIX Racing Products have been track tested and proven in all levels of stock car, dirt track, off-road and drag racing.

Truex Jr. and longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex, who was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in August 2014. announced a goal to raise $500,000 to support research of childhood and ovarian cancers during September and continuing through The Chase. Truex Jr. launched his foundation in 2007 to help children. Over the years, Truex Jr. and Pollex have become more passionate about helping children with cancer. 
To donate, please visit www.martintruexjrfoundation.org. To learn more about ovarian cancer, please visit: www.OCNA.org. To learn more about childhood cancer, visit: www.CAC2.org.

With an 8th place finish in the AAA Texas 500 Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, Truex Jr. is in 4th place in the Chase and hopes to hold or improve on that position in the final race of the Eliminator Round at at Phoenix International Raceway Sunday. The final four in the Chase will compete for the 2015 NASCAR Championship in the final races on the schedule.

 

UNCC Sigma Tau Gamma Benefit Tournament

Sun, Nov 15, 2015

Lake Norman

Pinnacle Access

Call Ben Hagar 704-999-4494