Logan named to ASHOF

Hartselle native Don Logan, far right, was named the Distinguished American Sportsman for 2011 by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame on April 23. Here, he is shown, from left, with UAB athletic director Brian Mackin, Olympic gold medalist Vonetta Flowers and legendary UAB coach Gene Bartow. | Karen Downs

Hartselle native Don Logan, one of three new owners of B.A.S.S. was named the Distinguished American Sportsman for 2011 by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame on April 23.

Logan was honored for his lifetime of contributions to sports, including the ownership of Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team, his service to the Auburn University Foundation and his recent purchase of B.A.S.S.

He received the award during the induction banquet of the Class of 2011 of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Other inductees were NFL stars Shaun Alexander, Jeff Rutledge, and David Hill; Major League Baseball greats Frank Thomas and Al Worthington; Winter Olympics gold medalist Vonetta Flowers; Auburn University basketball star Henry Hart; and Sportswriter Jimmy Smothers.

As the former chairman of Time Warner Inc.’s Media and Communications Group, Logan said he especially enjoyed overseeing the publication of Sports Illustrated, which enabled him to attend major sporting events through the world, and Field and Stream and Outdoor Life, which provided opportunities to fish some of the nation’s best waters.

In his acceptance speech, Logan, who now lives in Birmingham, compared sporting events to fishing in that both activities form a bond between parents land children. “If you take your kids to the water, I guarantee when they catch a fish they’ll remember that moment for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Because of his love for fishing, Logan said he had dreamed of buying B.A.S.S. even before ESPN purchased the company in 2001. The dream was finally realized when he and two partners, Jerry McKinnis and Jim Copeland, bought the company in November 2010.