FLIPPIN, Ark. – Collegiate bass anglers will have more opportunity to cash in on tournament success in 2018 thanks to the continued support of Ranger Cup University. The contingency program, designed by Ranger Boats exclusively for college anglers, is free of charge and open to any college angler, regardless of the brand of boat they own.

To remain qualified in the program, anglers need only adhere to simple clothing and logo requirements while fishing select ACA- and FLW-affiliated events. Additionally, Ranger has once again partnered with Gemini Custom Apparel, the industry’s leading tournament apparel provider, who will offer custom jersey pricing for as low as $48 for Ranger Cup University anglers.

For the 2018 season, each qualified event will feature a cash prize paid to the Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler with the highest place of finish.  A $200 cash prize will be paid at each of the 15 Yeti FLW College Fishing qualifying events, while each of the select events below feature a $500 cash prize:

Cabela’s Collegiate Big Bass Bash (Mar. 9-11, Kentucky Lake)

Collegiate Bass Fishing Open (Oct. 11-13, Lake Dardanelle)

Collegiate Texas Lunker Challenge (Feb. 11, Sam Rayburn Reservoir)

Yeti FLW College Fishing Open (Mar. 6, Kentucky-Barkley Lakes)

In addition to payouts at the above regular-season events, a $2,000 cash prize will be awarded to any Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler that wins either the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship or the Yeti FLW College Fishing National Championship. In the event that the winners of either major championship are not Ranger Cup University participants, a $1,000 cash prize will be paid to the Ranger Cup-qualified teams/anglers with the highest places of finish in the championship events.

Along with the cash prizes, the highest-finishing Ranger Cup University-qualified team/angler in each championship event will also receive automatic entry into the Ranger Cup University Team of the Year Challenge. The made-for-TV fish off, which will air on NBC Sports Network and Pursuit Channel during episodes of Americana Outdoors and Cabela’s Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, will feature the two Ranger Cup University teams competing for the title of 2018 Ranger Cup University Team of the Year and a $2,000 cash prize. Both teams will receive airfare, lodging and meals as part of an expense-paid trip to the tournament location where they will compete from fully rigged Ranger boats.

Last fall, the 2017 Challenge took place at Texas’ Lake Fairfield, a popular power-plant lake known for high numbers of largemouth. The competition featured teams from the University of North Alabama and Kansas State University with UNA ultimately claiming top honors.

“We watched this event on TV for years and it is a great format,” said UNA angler Sloan Pennington. “It seems more challenging with just one other boat out there. Fishing these collegiate tournaments gets your name out there, especially having a televised event with only two teams. It promotes the guys in both boats unlike any other tournament. It’s an awesome opportunity.”

For complete program guidelines and details on Ranger Cup University, including payout, clothing requirements and informational videos, go online to https://rangercup.com/includes/staticPages/RangerCupUniversity.cfm