TWRF Is New Tennessee State Advisor for SPP

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in SPP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized.

The Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP) announces that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation (TWRF) has been named State Advisor for its state, filling the role of managing the Scholastic Pistol Program there. State advisors play a critical role in SPP shooting activities within their respective states, promoting the principles of the SPP and acting in the program’s best interests. They are also the program’s "resource central" for their states. Advisors respond to inquiries about SPP, assist in program activities, encourage participation and the formation of new teams, and provide important program information to team coaches, shooting facilities, and other organizations hosting SPP teams. TWRF Executive Director, Julie Schuster, conveyed her excitement about the foundation managing the program. "This is a great opportunity to introduce the youth of Tennessee to another shooting sport that teaches numerous disciplines that positively affect our society. Plus, it’s really fun! We’re looking forward to growing the program in Tennessee." As the unique, nonprofit arm of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the foundation’s shared mission with the agency is to involve and educate the state's youth in the outdoors and shooting sports. TWRA has expressed its support of TWRF’s role in SPP. Lacey Lane of McKenzie will be the Tennessee SPP Director working for the TWRF. Lacey will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management - Wildlife/ Fisheries from UT Martin. She has grown up in the Scholastic Clay Target Program since she was 15, shooting on the well-known McKenzie Girl’s SCTP team. She is very familiar with the SPP Program and will work with participants across the state recruiting, assisting with hosted events, and promoting the program. “I’m thrilled to be working for the foundation and introducing students to a sport I have been passionate about for many years," commented Lane. "The shooting sports has opened many doors for me, and I want to pass that on to others.” Executive Director Schuster recalls her youth, “I loved the outdoors as a child but didn’t have the chance to pursue hunting and/or shooting competitively. It just wasn’t an option back then. The outdoor opportunities available to young people today are exciting. It’s up to us to make sure these opportunities continue and are available to all of Tennessee’s young adults." For more information on the Tennessee Scholastic Pistol Program or how to get a team started, contact Lacey Lane at llane@twrf.net or 731-415-0641.
Dave Miller

CZ-USA’s Dave Miller Attempting Guinness Record

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in SCTP Blog, SPP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized.

Exhibition shooter Dave Miller of CZ-USA has his sights on setting a Guinness World Record and promoting youth shooting education on May 16, as he attempts to shoot the most clay targets ever shot in one hour.
Dave Miller
Dave Miller performing his shotgunning exhibition at the 2014 SSSF National Championships
Miller represented CZ-USA at SSSF's 2014 National Championships in Sparta, Illinois last July, putting on shotgunning exhibitions in which he shot various targets from unusual positions and at high speed. That speed will be essential in his world-record attempt, as he will need to shoot almost one target per second to reach his goal. According to the Democrat Missourian newspaper, Miller will need to break 3001 clay targets in an hour to set the Guinness record, although his goal is 3500. Since there was previously no category for this feat, Guinness arrived at the number of 3001 to declare a record after consulting with the clay target governing associations. The record attempt on May 16 will be a fundraiser for Pheasants Forever to promote youth shooting education through the No Child Left Indoors program. A team of volunteers will help Miller in his attempt by loading guns and having them standing by for his use. Good luck, Dave Miller! We'll be watching! You can read more about Dave Miller's Guinness World Record attempt at the Democrat Missourian.

Video: SPP Southeast Regionals by the Alabama Privateers

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in Events, SPP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized, Video.

The Alabama Privateers SPP team have blown us away yet again with another of their videos, this one from the SPP Southeast Regional Match held recently in Tennessee. In the video, you'll see all the action at this beautiful new range that was designed to SPP specifications and launched with the Southeast Regionals. Enjoy!
Mark Burgess

Coach, State Advisor Mark Burgess Passes

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in SCTP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized.

We regret to report the passing of longtime SCTP coach and state advisor for Indiana, Mark Burgess, on Monday, December 15. Burgess was active in the shooting sports in Indiana and coach of the Hoosier Daddys shooting team.Mark Burgess Burgess was recently instrumental in helping to facilitate and encourage the formation of the new Indiana SCTP league. "Mark was a very nice guy, always making jokes and laughing," said Tom Wondrash, SCTP Director. "He will be sadly missed from our program, his team, and his family." On the team's Facebook page, another of the team's coaches commented, "He was a great man who would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it, and he was an embodiment of the ROOTS program we preach as coaches. He would gladly drop what he was doing to help someone in need and he always did the job right." Burgess' son Jeffrey posted a loving tribute to his father about his passion for coaching. "Each and every one of you brought so much joy to my father and he looked forward to seeing you all continue to grow in the sport that he loved so much. We all will miss him very much. Please continue to think about all the lessons and advice he gave. It truly was his honor to be your coach. The next time you are out on the field, you call for your bird, pull the trigger just an instant before you think you should and magically that target rises up enough to knock a chip off of it, just know it was probably my Dad, your coach, and your shooting angel giving you just that last bit of help. God bless you all and thank you for filling my Dad's heart with so much joy while he was your coach." Mark Burgess was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Jo Burgess. Survivors include children Jeffrey Burgess and Stephani (Allen) Burgess. A visitation will be held this Friday, December 19 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Wilson St. Pierre in Greenwood, IN, with a funeral at the same location on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

GOAL Is New SPP State Advisor in Massachusetts

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in SPP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized.

The Scholastic Pistol Program has a new State Advisor in Massachusetts to coordinate SPP activities and events there. The Gun Owners' Action League (GOAL) will fill the role of State Advisor, giving the SPP an entire organization of "boots on the ground" to form new clubs, host events, and promote the program in Massachusetts. GOAL is the state's NRA affiliate organization that promotes both political and sporting efforts there. "GOAL members worked very, very hard this past legislative session to change the Massachusetts law regarding minors and handguns," said Jon Green, Director of Education and Training for GOAL. "We are all so happy that we were successful. GOAL can now get behind this fantastic shooting sport known as the Scholastic Pistol Program and help to share gun safety, sportsmanship, and the Second Amendment with our young people." State Advisors play a critical role in SPP shooting activities within their respective states. State Advisors promote the principles of the SPP and act in the program’s best interests. They are also the program’s “resource central” for their states. Advisors respond to inquiries about SPP, assist in program activities, encourage participation and the formation of new teams, and provide important program information to team coaches, shooting facilities, and other organizations hosting SPP teams. GOAL has already confirmed several events in Massachusetts for 2015 since their recent appointment and expects to confirm additional ones soon. “SPP is pleased to have the Gun Owners' Action League as our new partner,” said Scott Moore, SPP Director. “The experience and hard work of GOAL will a huge asset as we continue to grow SPP in New England!” Learn more about the Gun Owners' Action League.

SSSF Donates $45,100 to SPP Team Endowment Accounts at MidwayUSA Foundation

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in SPP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized.

Last week, SSSF contributed $45,100 to the MidwayUSA Foundation on behalf of 23 Scholastic Pistol Program teams from 10 states. The donation represented team endowment funds earned in the inaugural Florida Law Enforcement Explorer Shooting League match and the Washington State Scrimmage, both of which were held on November 15. In addition, 12 of the teams earned endowment money through their participation in the 2013-2014 SPP Virtual Match target season. SSSF's latest contribution to the MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Program brings the total to $446,000 donated to date in 2014 on behalf of SPP teams. The program expects teams to earn another $6,000 before year's end. The purpose of the MidwayUSA Foundation endowment program is to provide sustained financial support for youth shooting teams. Teams with an endowment account are able to draw a grant each year to use for team expenses. SSSF regularly makes endowment funds available for SCTP and SPP events and contributes them to participating teams’ endowment accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation. Since 2011, SSSF has donated funding to several hundred team endowment accounts across 48 states.

Indiana Forms Youth Clay Target Shooting League

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in SCTP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized.

December 6 was an historic day for clay target shooting in Indiana. A youth trap shooting league was formed for the state, with 14 youth shooting teams meeting at the historic Kingen Gun Club to plan the 2015 season for the new league, which will utilize SCTP rules and guidelines for its shoots. Ten competitions are scheduled in 2015 for the Hoosier youth shooters, including an SCTP State Championship and the SCTP National Championship. Among the attendees at the formative meeting were Mark Burgess, SCTP State Director, and Chet Tuinstra, SCTP Regional Field Representative. Formation of the league was due to the efforts of Derek Marshall, Superintendent of Attica Consolidated School Corporation in Attica, Indiana, who started by contacting every youth trap shooting program and every gun club in the state with the goal of organizing the people in Indiana shooting sports to create a statewide trap shooting league for youth. Student shooters will compete in one of five divisions according to SCTP rules, and awards will be presented at each event. In the future, the Hoosier Clay Target Association hopes to expand to encompass skeet and sporting clays.

SPP Announces Virtual Match Drawing Winners

Written by SSSF Staff on . Posted in SPP Blog, SSSF News and Information, Uncategorized.

Congratulations to the 11 Scholastic Pistol Program teams that have been drawn as prize winners at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 SPP Virtual Match Target Season. Winners were selected in a random drawing among teams that participated in the season. Your team can easily compete with teams from across the country in the 2014-2015 Virtual Match season without ever leaving your home range. All squads have to do is shoot the SPP course of fire at your local range or match and submit SPP score sheets via email to SPP Program Manager Tammy Mowry, tmowry@sssfonline.com. There is also a fee of $5 per squad/per match score. Every time a squad turns in a score, they get a chance to win some great prizes. The more you play, the more you can win! The prize winners for the 2013-2014 season are: 1 Case (1000 rounds) 9mm ammunition
    Hocking County Young Guns Coach: Andy Thompson Squad 3 – 8/16/14 WWCCA Straight Shooters Coach: Joe Cafarelli Squad – 5/31/14 Michigan State University Shooting Sports Club Coach: Paul Kuchek Squad - 5/31/14

  Beretta Neos
    Red Dawn Junior Marksmanship Academy ** Coach: Cathi Bray Squad 3 – 8/17/14 Ozaukee Squad Scholastic Shooting Sports Pistol Team ** Coach: Rick Leach Squad 2 - 6/16/14

  Brownells Lewis Lead Removal Kits
    Union Grove Pistol Team Coach: Mike Ditscheit Squad 1 – 4/26/14

  S&W Range Bags
    Team Gotta Coach: Robin Taylor Squad 1 – 6/21/14 Straight Shooters, Tucson Coach: Bill Perkins Squad Blue - 5/6/14

  Pro Ears Revo Electronic Ear Muffs
    Smokin’ Dragons Coach: Trent Keltner Squad 3 - 4/26/14

  GLOCK Tacti-Kool Backpacks
    Leon County Sheriff’s Explorer Coach: Dustin Brock Squad 3/15/14

  Blade-Tech Knives
    William Blount Shooting Team Coach: Paul Carrington Squad Junior C – 3/26/14
** Gun winners, please send an FFL to Tammy Mowry, tmowry@sssfonline.com

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The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing shooting-sports education and opportunities to school-age youths around the United States to encourage young athlete personal growth and development.
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