Tallulah Falls School junior Marshall Williams of Toccoa signed a letter of intent on May 7. (photo/TFS) Shown, back row, from left, are Athletic Director Scott Neal, President and Head of School Larry A. Peevy and Upper School Academic Dean Kim Popham; front row, from left are Patty Williams, Marshall Williams, Russell Williams and Emmanuel College Bass Fishing Team Head Coach Pamela Martin-Wells.
Tallulah Falls School junior Marshall Williams of Toccoa on May 7 signed a letter of intent to compete in bass fishing for the Emmanuel College Lions, (NCAA Division II – Conference Carolinas) in Franklin Springs, Georgia.
Williams will join the team for the 2020-21 academic year.
“We at Emmanuel are excited to have Marshall as a part of our bass fishing team,” said new head coach Pam Martin-Wells. “With Marshall’s experience, passion and love of fishing I know he will be a great asset to Emmanuel College. With his leadership qualities and Christian values, he brings the kind of individual that Emmanuel is looking for. It’s easy to build a ‘Dream Team’ with young athletes like we have for the coming seasons.”
The TFS fishing team, established three years ago, gained momentum quickly, according to President and Head of School Larry A. Peevy. Williams will be the second student-angler to receive scholarship dollars to fish competitively at the college level.
“Marshall and his teammate Marshall Harrelson, along with captain Russell Williams launched this activity at TFS,” Peevy said. “These student-anglers were the first to compete on behalf of the school but it wasn’t long before their excitement helped the team to grow.”
The team currently has 10 members, three pairs at the high school level and two fishing pairs in the junior division, and fishes competitively through the Georgia BASS Nation High School tournament series.
“Marshall’s passion for bass fishing was evident from our first meeting,” said TFS Director of Community Relations E. Lane Gresham, who serves as the team’s TFS staff advisor. “It has been a joy to watch this young man mature as he gained confidence through his participation and success in competitive fishing. It’s clear to me this sport has enhanced the TFS experience for the student-athletes and families who are involved.”
Athletic Director Scott Neal has helped the team as it evolved from a club activity to an official sport recognized by the Georgia Independent School Association. The team now has varsity lettering criteria and is included in team recognition at school sports banquets.
“Being a pillar of starting a bass fishing program is nothing new for Marshall; he was foundational in forming our program in its inception three years ago, and continues to strengthen its legacy of performance, culture and character,” Neal said. “We are so proud and appreciative of Marshall, his dedication, ‘All In’ attitude and GREAT character. We are thrilled he will continue his education and fishing passion as he helps create a legacy culture at Emmanuel College,” said Athletic Director Scott Neal.
Team captain Russell Williams has the rare role of father and coach, encouraging the eager angler from a young age.
“Marshall has been determined to make something of his passion for fishing since he was little. Several years ago now, he was the founding member of a nationally-sanctioned high school bass club in Habersham and Banks Counties,” Russell Williams said. “Eventually, he was instrumental in bringing others into competitive bass fishing. His quiet, soft-spoken selflessness, work ethic and success on the water opened the door for him to be the first high school junior to receive a four-year scholarship to fish at at Emmanuel College.”
Williams said his son will be the among the first student-anglers to sign with Emmanuel College’s new coach, Pamela Martin-Wells.
“With her proven knowledge and character influencing Marshall, he will be able to grow to a much higher level both in his sport and as a young man,” he added.
