|
|
| |
| Sun, Sep. 7, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Springdale man appointed to Game and Fish Commission Thursday, Jul 24, 2008 By John Lyon Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A Springdale man whose fishing club for students inspired the national "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" program will be the newest member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Gov. Mike Beebe announced Wednesday. Beebe named Ron Duncan, a counselor and former civics teacher at Springdale Central Junior High, to fill the 3rd District position on the commission, replacing Sonny Varnell. "Ron has a reputation that is national now in scope, in terms of what he's done for young people," Beebe said at a news conference at the state Capitol. Duncan, 56, started a student club in 1982 based on the idea of introducing young people to fishing. The national initiative it inspired has produced thousands of clubs across the country. "Fishing has been an integral part of my life," Duncan said. "I've tried to take that love of fishing and hand it on down to kids." Duncan said fishing gives young people something to do other than taking drugs. "I had a judge in Washington County once say to me that they knew that every kid they saw in my fishing club they'd never see in front of them," he said. "He knew that they were going to stay out there on the banks fishing." Anne-Ashley Black, a 10th grader at Har-Ber High School, said the privilege of being in the club encourages students "to stay out of trouble and maintain your grades." Catching a 19-pound striper was one of the highlights of her involvement in the club, Black said. "I had trouble getting it out of the water and also taking it home, but for the most part it was awesome," she said. "We took pictures and it was great. It's at our house now." A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Duncan joined the Springdale School District in 1974. He was inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2004, has twice been honored as Bass Anglers Sportsman Society Man of the Year and was National Wildlife Educator of the Year in 1999. His appointment to the commission will expire July 1, 2015. |
