ROSS TOWNSHIP FAMILY PROGRAM oss Township
ROSS TOWNSHIP NEWS
A DIFFERENT KIND OF CATCH FOR THE ROSS POLICE AT THE ANNUAL ROSS FISHING TOURNAMENT
The third Weekend in July is a date of importance for young sportsmen in Ross Township looking to bag a trophy fish from the depths of the Sergeant Frank Zotter Pond in Evergreen Park . Indeed , since its inaugural contest 21 years ago , the annual Ross Township and Ross Police Fishing Tournament has become an institution in the community .
From its humble beginnings two names have gone hand in hand with the event , the eponymous Sergeant Frank Zotter , and Ross Commissioner Lana Mazur . Zotter , who served with the Ross Police for 42 years , found inspiration for the event from a similar one in Butler County and brought the idea forward to the department . He looked at the event as an opportunity to bring his passions together and provide an outlet for police to interact with young members of the community and those with special needs , in a positive setting , while bonding over a shared love of fishing . “ The look on their faces … some of these kids , when they catch their first fish , I ’ ve had them tell me it was the best day of their life .” Zotter relayed to me with an unassuming smile , standing on the banks of the pond .
As the tournament developed , Zotter collaborated with Commissioner Mazur to bring the event to fruition . While Mazur worked to promote the tournament and handle much of the behind-the-scenes logistics , Zotter secured funding from local businesses and charitable donations from individuals in the community . Of course Zotter also lent a hand with his favorite activity , fishing . He stocked the pond for the tournament with hundreds of fish he had personally caught . Blue gills , bass , and even an ornery catfish named Big Jerry who still lurks in the depths of the pond with a bounty on his head were all relocated to Ross at the end of Zotter ’ s fishing pole .
In the early years of the tournament officers would typically see 35-40 participants , however as Commissioner Mazur ’ s publicity
62 Ross Township efforts and word of mouth from delighted junior piscators spread , attendance quickly grew to nearly 200 over the two day event .
This year ’ s event proved to be no exception to the rule with the perimeter of the serene pond lined with families for the kick off the tournament . Saturday ’ s events are restricted to kids 14 and under with subdivisions by age group . The following day the event is opened up for all ages with divisions for Special Needs and Seniors . Although not always the case , this year participants were lucky enough to have wonderful weather for the duration of event with sunny skies overhead and a steady breeze keeping the temperature bearable and insects at bay .
Kicking off at 8:00 AM , contestants use their best casting techniques in an attempt to entice the “ Big One ” into taking their bait . As they do so , the most experienced anglers of the Ross Police Department stand at the ready to take an official measurement and offer any advice they can to make sure that the “ Big One ” doesn ’ t turn into the “ One That Got Away .” As the day went on competition was fierce with contestants proudly marching their catches ( or occasionally shrieking at a stray hooked crayfish ), to a measuring station before returning to their spot to set their potential prize winner free .
By mid-day lunch was provided to the weary contestants in the park ’ s guest house . With an assortment of picnic foods to choose from , they filled up at the pavilion and fishing resumed with a refreshed , reinvigorated crowd .
For Zotter , 80 , and Commissioner Mazur , the tournament this year holds special significance . 2017 is the last year they are officially spearheading the event . After retiring in 2003 , Sgt . Zotter continued to coordinate staffing the event with current officers in the department ; however he feels it is now time to turn over his leadership role to younger members in hopes that it will continue to grow and give these officers the same opportunity to reach out to the community he has had . Rest assured though , that while he may not be at the helm , he will continue to play a role for years to come .
Submitted by Ptl . Daniel Papale of the Ross Township Police Department .