Hook into history

All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey welcomes first fisherman into ranks with induction of Pittsgrove’s Iaconelli into its Hall of Fame

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON – The All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey expanded its roster of sports and inductees Saturday with the induction of pro angler Mike Iaconelli into its Hall of Fame.

Iaconelli, a decorated pro with unconventional beginnings in the sport, is the first fisherman to be enshrined in the Hall that recognizes the accomplishments of sports luminaries with ties to South Jersey. His enshrinement brings to 22 the number of sports and related fields now represented in the museum.

“It’s very cool,” museum board member Anthony D’Agostino said of the landmark induction. “He’s a local guy, he’s right in our backyard, and it’s something we probably should have done a long time ago.

“He’s one of the most accomplished people if you really look at his professional career. His story is amazing. It’s a sport that’s traditionally Southern, country guys, and you’ve got this brash New Jersey guy listening to hip hop and he really wasn’t liked at first.

“But it’s his 30^th year as a professional fisherman and it’s finally kind of turned around for him where people are starting to really recognize what he’s done and what he’s accomplished and brought to the game there, so it means a lot to have him in our Hall.”

Iaconelli, who lives on Palatine Lake in Pittsgrove, is the only angler to ever win the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year and BASS Federation National Championship and before leaving Saturday’s ceremony donated a treasure trove of items to the museum commemorating those feats and more. He was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003.

In addition to competing at the top level of his sport, Iaconelli is driven to grow the sport with his entertainment, education and charitable interests. He has a popular podcast and hosts several television shows.

His selection to the Hall proved quite popular as the ceremony drew one of the bigger crowds they’ve had for an enshrinement. Among those in attendance were his four buddies who were the only other anglers in his suburban high school and a youngster he remembered fishing with in a local event years ago.

The interaction, D’Agostino said, “was awesome.”

The Hall’s next induction ceremony is February when it will welcome former major-league pitcher and current Phillies broadcast analyst Ricky Bottalico into its ranks.

Look for more on Iaconelli’s passion for the sport and induction into the Hall of Fame Sunday at Riverview Sports News.

Top photo: All-Sports Hall of Fame inductee Mike Iaconelli is flanked by Museum and Hall chairman Dom Valella (L) and board member Anthony D’Agostino during Saturday’s induction ceremony. (Photo courtesy of All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey)