Those fishing in the eighth annual Black Bag Classic tournament aren’t casting lines out for personal pride, but rather for a greater cause.

All the money raised in the event will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Kentucky, as well as spent on prizes for the best fishermen of the day.

“If WKU students have boats, then we highly encourage them to participate in the event, because the money is going to the cause that everyone can support,” said Kara Foxx, a Cinncinnati senior.

Foxx is a member of the Hilltopper Black Bag Classic Fishing tournament public relations committee this year and participates in the tournament planning as a part of her class.

The tournament, hosted by the recreation program planning class at WKU, takes place on April 28 at Nolin Lake Kentucky from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Black Bag Classic got its name because fisherman participating in the event can weigh their catch every hour in a black bag, so the other contestants do not see how big or small the fish was, and then release it back in the lake, said Trinity Gonzalez, evening program coordinator at WKU.

“Every hour, we give away the first, second and third place for the big fish of that hour,” Gonzalez said. “At the end of the day, we give a prize for the biggest fish of the day — $500.”

To participate in the tournament, each fisherman has to have his or her own boat, liability insurance and fishing equipment. The registration fee is $35 per person or $60 per team. A team is limited to two people per boat.

“So far, we have four cash sponsors,” Gonzalez said. “They include Houchens Industries, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Semper/Exeter Paper Company and Critter Creations Taxidermy. We have several other sponsors who donated items, but cash sponsors are the big thing, because that money goes straight to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.”

Pre-registration for the Black Bag Fishing tournament ends on April 15. On-site registration will be held at Red Roof Barbeque on Fri., April 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Sat., April 19, from 4 to 6 a.m. To register, log onto www.wku.edu/hilltopperclassic/

All students who can’t participate in the Black Bag Classic Fishing tournament but wish to contribute to the event can go to DUC any day until April 28 and buy a raffle ticket for $1 or 12 tickets for $10 and enter to win prizes that include T-shirts, workout classes, Olive Garden gift card and a stay at the hotel Holliday Inn, Foxx said.

Money earned from selling raffle tickets also will be donated to Big Brothers and Big Sisters as well.