Wheres The Class

"Where's The Class Mike?"

Mike Iaconelli may be one of, if not the best bass fisherman on tour today, but there is more to life than money and fame.

Just like our friend Jay Yelas wrote in a recent article, I ask the same question, "Where's The Class?" No, not Bass Class. Personal integrety, honesty, and common courtesy?

We booked Mike Iaconelli on our radio shows three separate times.

Each time before the show he wasn't anywhere to be found.

We gave him the benefit of the doubt, and made excuses for him, as he is busy and has a lot of responsibilty to sponsors, his family, and friends.

So, we called him again. he spoke for some time to our producer and had a great conversation. He booked the show for November 1st, 2005, at 7:00 PM Eastern.

I called him at 6:30 PM, for a heads up for the show, and he told me about a halloween party he was attending later and how he was going as a Disco pirate, even describing his entire outfit, and we laughed and talked about that and about the Bassmaster Classic which I covered for our shows.

He assured me he would be ready for the radio show.

I called him at 7:00 PM, and he was nowhere to be found. He left me sitting with Dead Air Time, and because Andre Moore was willing to swallow his dinner quickly and do the show, we pulled it off.

Thanks to Andre Moore, who is a "CLASS ACT".

I had always defended Mike, but in my book, three strikes and you're out! I called him 4 more times and left messages marked high priority, and he didn't return any of them or even apologize.

I guess money and fame does go to some peoples heads, but not Jay yelas, Matt Herron, Andre Moore, Art Ferguson, Aaron Martins, or Frank Scalish, or Ish Monroe, who never did or never would do that to me. I consider them all my friends.

So... I ask "Where's The Class?" Certainly not in Mike Iaconelli's character, that is obvious.