Seth Borton started the nationally successful bass fishing program at Adrian College in 2015. An Adrian resident, Borton has established his roots in the community as a champion fisherman and 2005 graduate of Siena Heights University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sport and business management. He enters his 12th season in 2025-26.
Under the direction of Borton, the Bass Fishing Team won the Bassmaster National Championship in 2021 and the MLF National Championship in 2024. Borton has continued to coach the Bulldogs to one of the top spots in the annual Abu Garcia School of the Year Standings.
Borton has developed eight Fishing League Worldwide All-Americans All-Americans, coached two boats that finished in the top-20 of the 2016 FLW National Collegiate Championships and guided the team to a No. 1 Cabela's/ Association of Collegiate Anglers national ranking in its first year of existence in Fall 2015. During the 2018-19 academic year, Adrian finished as the YETI FLW College Fishing National School of the Year for the first time. The Bulldogs have been a regular resident high in the college bass fishing national rankings during Borton's tenure. The Bass Fishing team at Adrian College has won two national championships (2021, 2024) and been ranked number-one in the country numerous times under Borton.
Coach Borton has been involved in competitive fishing for nearly fifteen years and has competed in everything from local clubs to the FLW Forrest L. Wood Everstart Series. He had numerous top finishes in the FLW and BFL (Bass Fishing League) during the weekend series as a co-angler. In 2011, he was sponsored for all four Everstart series events which included tournaments at Lake of the Ozarks (Mo.), Kentucky Lake, Detroit River and Table Rock. The event of Kentucky Lake was a championship event for the top 40 anglers in the series. Borton finished 11th in the overall series out of approximately 300 anglers.
In 2012 and 2013, Borton qualified for the National Bass Anglers Association (NBAA) National Championship event on Kentucky Lake by winning two divisions (Black & Blue) on Lake Erie. He had the privilege to fish two qualifying events where division winners from around the country had to be in the top 50 either day (out of 160) to qualify for the national championship. Upon qualifying for the final day of the event, Borton was fortunate enough to best over a 300-boat field and win the 2013 NBAA National Championship with his colleague David Hasty. The final weigh-in of 18 pounds and 13 ounces put them in a tie with another duo.
Borton’s background in the fishing business world is also a factor that could reach far beyond a coaching role. He has been a regional merchandiser and pro staff with Pradco Outdoor Brands & Rapala Lures/Accessories since 2010 and worked as an assistant manager in the fishing department at Bass Pro Shops from 2008-2010.
He has focused on creating long-term partnerships with local and national sponsors to help ensure and secure the foundation of Adrian College Bass Fishing. Those sponsors have been a big component of the Bulldogs' success from Day 1. As the program has grown since its inception, so has the national exposure that Adrian has enjoyed.
Borton also serves on the board of directors of the National Professional Anglers Association.
*Updated July 3, 2025*
