Illinois firefighters become prize-winning fishers for 40th Crappie Tournament

FINDLAY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 hosted their 40th Annual Shawn Marmion Memorial Crappie Tournament at Lake Shelbyville last week, assembling Illinois first responders for a day of fishing and fellowship.

The tournament serves as a light-hearted, outdoorsy get-together for firefighters from across the state. L1260 President Zach Tish said some firefighters have attended the event for decades, and even out-of-state crews will join in on occasion.

Tish said prizes are given for the first fish and biggest fish. Teams of firefighters can compete in either the Active or Retired divisions. But this year, the tournament didn’t only include fire crews — a Police division was also invited into the fun.

Ahead of Wednesday’s competition, participants were able to meet one another through a steak dinner at the boat launch. The next morning, around 100 boats were floating on Lake Shelbyville for the 2024 tournament.

(Photos provided by the Facebook page of Champaign Firefighters Local 1260.)

Tish said the Crappie Tournament provides a great opportunity for Champaign Firefighters to bond outside of work, which improves their ability to work together while on the clock.

The yearly competition is held in memory of Lieutenant Shawn Marmion, who served with the Champaign Fire Department. Tish said Marmion was a member of L1260 and really helped the tournament grow. After his passing in 2007, the event was renamed to the “Shawn Marmion Memorial Crappie Tournament.”

While Tish was unsure who won the Police division for its inaugural year, a team from Champaign Fire won the Active division and a team from Harristown won the Retired division for 2024’s tournament.

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