Established in memory of Jason Smitley — a cherished son, brother, and friend whose love for the outdoors, community, and the next generation lives on through everything we do.
Our Mission
Keeping Jason's Spirit Alive
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The Jason Smitley Memorial Foundation was founded to honor the memory of Jason Smitley by giving back to the community he loved. Each year, we bring families together through a free kids' fishing derby at the Mahomet Sportsman's Club — and we raise funds through our annual golf outing to make it all possible.
The proceeds from the golf outing fund the fishing derby and support the Jason Smitley Memorial Scholarship Fund at Parkland Community College, helping local students pursue their dreams — one year at a time.
Memories
Share a photo or a story about Jason. A place to celebrate who he was and keep his memory alive for those who knew and loved him.
Share a Memory →
Fishing Derby
A free annual kids' fishing derby at the Mahomet Sportsman's Club — where Jason grew up fishing. Open to all families.
Learn More →
Golf Outing
Our annual fundraising golf outing makes everything possible. Register your team for a great day on the course in Jason's honor.
Register →
Scholarship Fund
The Jason Smitley Memorial Scholarship at Parkland Community College supports local students working toward a brighter future.
Meet the Recipients →
In Loving Memory
"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other."
Jason Smitley Memorial Fishing Derby
FREE Kids Fishing Derby — All are welcome!
About the Fishing Derby
The Jason Smitley Memorial Fishing Derby is a FREE annual event open to kids and families throughout our community, held in loving memory of Jason Smitley. It is our most cherished tradition — a day to get outside, cast a line, and make memories with the people who matter most.
The derby is held each year at the Mahomet Sportsman's Club in Mahomet, Illinois — the very water where Jason grew up fishing as a boy. It's a fitting home for an event built around his love of the outdoors, and we are grateful to the club for welcoming our families year after year.
Open to all ages with prizes awarded for kids 2–17. The morning begins with one hour of registration, followed by 90 minutes of fishing, with lunch and awards to follow. All are welcome — come out, enjoy the water, and help us celebrate Jason's memory.
Date
May 30, 2026
Time
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where
Mahomet Sportsman's Club
* Please bring your own bait and tackle. The event is free — no registration fee required.
Jason Smitley Memorial Golf Outing
Annual fundraiser supporting the fishing derby & scholarship fund
About the Golf Outing
The Jason Smitley Memorial Golf Outing is our annual fundraising event, held every year on the second Saturday in August at Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Mahomet. It brings golfers from across the community together for a great day on the course — all in memory of Jason. The day includes a 9:00 AM shotgun start and a post-round lunch provided by Bourbon Smoke BBQ. Proceeds support the free kids' fishing derby and the Jason Smitley Memorial Scholarship Fund at Parkland Community College.
When
August 8, 2026
Where
Lake of the Woods Golf Course, Mahomet IL
Start
9:00 AM Shotgun
Format
4-Person Scramble
Cost
$500 / Team
Lunch
Bourbon Smoke BBQ
Photo Gallery
Memories from past golf outings
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Team Sign-Up
Jason Smitley Memorial Golf Outing
Team Registration — $500 per Team
Registration is $500 per team ($125 per golfer) and includes green fees, cart, event apparel for all four players, and a post-round lunch provided by Bourbon Smoke BBQ. Complete your registration below and we will follow up with payment instructions to secure your spot.
⛳ Team Registration
Register your foursome for this year's outing
Team Name
Player 1 — Team Captain
Player 2
Player 3
Player 4
💳 Registration Payment — $500 per team
After submitting your registration, please use one of the buttons below to complete your payment or contact us to arrange payment another way.
We will follow up with payment details to lock in your spot. We can't wait to see you on the course!
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Sponsors & Donors
Jason Smitley Memorial Golf Outing
Support the Foundation
There are two wonderful ways to support the Jason Smitley Memorial Golf Outing and the foundation's mission:
🪧 Hole Sponsorship — $100 Have your name or business logo displayed on a personalized sign at one of the course holes throughout the day. A meaningful way to show your support in Jason's honor.
💛 General Donation If you'd like to make an outright donation to the foundation — whether or not you're participating in the outing — we are deeply grateful. Every dollar goes directly to the fishing derby and scholarship fund.
🪧 Sponsorship or Donation Form
Fill in your details and we will follow up with payment information
Your Information
Type of Support
Swag Bag Order
Each swag bag includes event apparel and all outing swag items. We will follow up with pricing details.
Hole Sign Logo (hole sponsors — optional)
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Click to upload your logo or photo for the hole sign
Notes (optional)
💳 Payment
After submitting, please use one of the buttons below to complete your payment or contact us to arrange payment another way. Hole sponsorships are $100; enter any amount for a general donation. Swag bag pricing will be confirmed by the foundation.
Your submission has been received. We will be in touch with payment details shortly. Your generosity makes everything we do possible.
Jason Smitley Memorial Scholarship Fund
Parkland Community College — Champaign, Illinois
The Jason Smitley Memorial Scholarship Fund is an endowed scholarship established at Parkland Community College in Jason's memory. Each year, the fund supports local students who demonstrate financial need, community involvement, and a commitment to their education.
The scholarship is made possible by the generosity of those who participate in the Jason Smitley Memorial Golf Outing and by direct contributions to the fund. If you'd like to support the next generation of students in Jason's name, we invite you to make a gift directly to Parkland Community College.
Clicking above will take you to Parkland Community College's donation page. Please designate your gift to the Jason Smitley Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Scholarship Recipients
Honoring the students who carry Jason's legacy forward
Remembering Jason
A place to share photos, stories, and the moments that made him who he was
Jason touched so many lives in so many ways. This page is a space for those who knew him — family, friends, teammates, classmates — to share a photograph or a favorite memory.
Memories & Stories
Shared by those who loved him
Share a Memory
Submit a photo or story about Jason.
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Click to upload photos (select multiple at once)
🔍 All submissions are reviewed by the foundation before being published. We appreciate your patience and willingness to share.
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Thank you for sharing.
Your submission has been received and will be reviewed. Once approved, it will appear on this page.
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Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you
Whether you have questions about the fishing derby, the golf outing, the scholarship fund, or anything else — please don't hesitate to reach out.
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