Central Michigan University’s Alina Krasinski and Southwestern Michigan College’s Delaney Platt have won the 2023 Helen Sevier Pioneer Scholarships presented by B.A.S.S. and Shimano.

Photos courtesy of Alina Krasinski and Delaney Platt 

October 4, 2023

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and Shimano have partnered to award the second annual Helen Sevier Pioneer Scholarships to Central Michigan University angler Alina Krasinski of Mount Pleasant, Mich., and Southwestern Michigan College competitor Delaney Platt of Braceville, Ill. These scholarships not only honor Sevier’s leadership and long-term vision for the growth of sportfishing, but also recognize the efforts of young female anglers as they pursue fishing at the collegiate level.

“There is no better way to honor Helen Sevier’s legacy than by recognizing Alina and Delaney as they work to make their place in the fishing industry at the college level and beyond,” said Bassmaster Magazine Managing Editor Mandy Pascal, part of the scholarship review committee. “We appreciate Shimano’s ongoing partnership as B.A.S.S. works to ensure future ‘pioneers’ have support and recognition in their endeavors to compete at the college level. The next generation of female anglers is on a clear path to growing and promoting the sport.”

Krasinski grew up fishing the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and Saginaw Bay before making her way to Central Michigan University. A first-generation college student, she is a Dean’s List student majoring in entrepreneurship and advertising in addition to serving as the treasurer for the CMU Chippewas Bass Fishing Team. After graduation, Krasinski plans to pursue a career in the fishing industry, leveraging this passion into an analyst or marketing position.

“I am so honored and blessed to receive this scholarship,” said Krasinski. “It is a great stepping stone in the journey that is college. This scholarship has been helping with tuition and travel expenses related to the tournament season. Central Michigan fishing has been amazing to me. I can’t thank my team members enough … I owe them everything.”

Platt is a freshman studying biology at Southwestern Michigan College, where she is one of two women on the bass fishing team.

“Fishing in college has been a dream of mine since starting competitive fishing, and I am so proud to have met this goal,” said Platt. “I am extremely excited to finally be able to fish with another girl. One of my biggest goals is to be able to make it to the professional level, but as long as I inspire young girls to get into competitive fishing, am a role model to them and make a difference in the lives of others, I will be happy.”

In addition to three years on her high school fishing team, where she and her partner won multiple Illinois Coaches and Student State Tournament Trail (ICASSTT) and Illinois High School Association tournaments, Platt was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Youth Philanthropy, Trap Shooting Team, Math Team, Natural Helpers, Student Ambassadors, Prom Committee and the school’s pep club. After finishing her biology and pre-med work at Southwestern Michigan, Platt hopes to continue her education with the ultimate goal of becoming a dermatologist.

Sevier, the second full-time member of B.A.S.S. hired by founder Ray Scott in 1970, was a pioneer at all levels of the organization. During her 31-year career at B.A.S.S., Sevier oversaw a boom in membership as well as the expansion of Bassmaster’s media operation to include seven magazines and two television shows. Sevier was also instrumental in recruiting young people to the sport through the innovative CastingKids program. In 2004, Sevier was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, and her induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame came in 2018.

Both Krasinski and Platt earned a $2,500 scholarship.