Bill Perkins

SPP Welcomes Two New Regional Field Reps

SSSF announces the hiring of two new Regional Field Representatives (RFRs) to serve the Scholastic Pistol Program. david kirk175David Kirk, who currently coordinates the SPP at the Tallahassee Rifle and Pistol Club, was instrumental in establishing the Scholastic Pistol Program in Florida. He is a consultant with the award-winning Leon County Sheriff's Explorer Pistol Team, and with assistance from the Leon County Sheriff's Explorer Post, he is organizing the Florida Law Enforcement Explorer Shooting League. As a competitive pistol shooter, he has competed in Steel Challenge, GLOCK Shooting Sports Foundation (GSSF) Match, and USPSA. He is Match Director for GSSF Pistol Match and Steel Challenge. Bill PerkinsBill Perkins has worked with the NRA Foundation as a Committee Chairman for seven years and as Arizona State Chairman for three years, where he contributed to the fundraising campaign and awarding of grants to many worthy shooting programs in Arizona. He is currently a Range Supervisor with the NRA where he is responsible for assisting shooting ranges throughout the U.S. Bill was introduced to the shooting sports through the Boy Scouts, where he earned the Rifle & Shotgun merit badge. He earned his first NRA Instructor rating in 1991 and became a Training Counselor in 2005. Bill spent 10 years working as the Camp Director for the NRA Whittington Center Youth Adventure Camp, which teaches the fundamentals of rifle, pistol, shotgun, and muzzleloader shooting to 112 campers each summer. He currently has an NRA/USA Shooting Level 3 Pistol Coach certification and is a member of the National Coach Development Staff. He is the Head Coach of a Scholastic Pistol Team in Arizona and he continues to participate as a competitive shooter in many shooting sports, as well as hunting. The two new Regional Field Reps will provide grassroots team and program development and support in their respective regions by interacting with existing and prospective SPP state advisors, coaches, and adult volunteers. They will assist in setting up new teams and growing teams already in the program.

SSSF’s Donation of Over $1 Million to MidwayUSA Foundation Benefits 182 SCTP, SPP Teams

Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation made contributions of over $1 million this week to the MidwayUSA Foundation, Inc. accounts of 182 SCTP and SPP teams from 36 different states. The teams earned the endowment funds at recent national, regional, and state events. This week's total donation was $1,045,125. SCTP team accounts received $905,000 of that, which includes team earnings at the National Team Championships, regional events, and state shoots during the second and third quarters of 2014. SPP teams received $133,100, which included earnings from its National Junior/Senior Championships and recent state matches. “Through our broad membership base, we are fortunate to be able to support so many teams across the country," commented Ben Berka, SSSF President and Executive Director. "These donations will help provide a perpetual funding source for local Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Pistol Programs. The funding we provide to team endowment accounts is another way for us to thank all of the teams, coaches, and athletes for their participation and excellent performance in SCTP and SPP events!” In addition, $7,025 was donated via internally generated endowment money through SSSF and SCTP fundraisers. These funds will be matched by Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA. “By providing teams with fundraising tools at the local level, we are able to help contribute to team endowment accounts. At the same time, teams have the ability to raise operating money and awareness about their programs in the local community. The SSSF looks forward to providing more of these opportunities in the future to our SCTP and SPP member teams,” said Berka. The donations bring SSSF's contributions to $1,461,175 to date in 2014. SSSF expects its annual contributions to total more than $1.7 million by the end of 2014. SCTP and SPP teams are awarded endowment funds through participation in sanctioned shoots. SSSF contributes the funding to the MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment Account Program on behalf of the teams. The purpose of the 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.

SPP Northeast Fall Regional Match

SPP will host a Northeast Fall Regional match at Camp Hinds Boy Scout Camp in Raymond, Maine on Saturday, October 4. Sponsored by Smith & Wesson, the match is open to all Junior, Senior, and Collegiate SPP teams. Match fee is $20 per shooter. Both Centerfire and Rimfire (JV) Divisions will receive awards, and endowment funds will be available. We will be offering the teams the opportunity to place an ammo order for the match. The ammo pre-order deadline is September 25. Loaner guns will be available for those who will need to borrow guns on the day of the match. Camping will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for anyone who would like to arrive on Friday or stay over on Saturday. Tent camping (must provide own tents), 4-person cabins, and multi-bunk bunk rooms are available. Cabins and bunk rooms have cots and field mattresses. Camping reservations must be made in advance by calling Tammy at 207-797-5252 ext. 10 or emailing tachapma@scouting.org.

Click here for full details and registration form.



Ben Berka - John Linquist

SSSF and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever Partner to Introduce Youth to Shooting Sports and Conservation

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever (PF/QF) have signed an agreement to partner on programs to introduce youth to shooting sports, hunting, wildlife conservation, and other outdoor experiences. SSSF and PF/QF will work together to develop new outreach programs, promote each other’s missions, and host joint introductions to shooting/outdoor events.
Ben Berka - John Linquist
Ben Berka, left, and John Linquist sign a memorandum of understanding between SSSF and PF/QF
The partnership focuses on strengthening the link between shooting and conservation, as SSSF and PF/QF will work together to educate and engage today’s youth to ensure a future of avid hunters and passionate conservationists. Both organizations recognize that today’s youth are the next generation of outdoor leaders and conservationists. “Youth are making dedicated sport choices at a very young age these days,” explained Ben Berka, President and Executive Director of SSSF. “If we can make that choice a shooting sport, we can begin to influence the future of recreational choices for kids and families. “By operating through the proven model of organized youth sports, SSSF has the ability to recruit many urban and suburban youth who have very little awareness about wildlife conservation or the outdoors in general,” Berka continued. “Also, youth shooting sports have structure, social interaction, and trusted adult leadership — things that are attractive to busy families.” The memorandum of understanding between the two organizations came about through the efforts of Tom Wondrash, National Director of the SSSF’s Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and John Linquist, National Shooting Sports Coordinator for PF/QF, who recognized the compatible goals of the two groups. Initially, the two men partnered informally by pairing SCTP teams with local PF/QF chapters. Later, SCTP teams were the catalysts for forming new PF/QF chapters in areas where there were none. “Our mission is to get youth involved in shooting sports at an early age through team competition and to encourage their continued involvement when they graduate from our program,” said Wondrash. “Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever is an ideal partner to further our members’ interest and participation in the shooting sports as they reach adulthood, as well as enjoy these activities with their entire family.” For PF/QF, promoting shooting sports is an important aspect of the No Child Left Indoors® initiative, which includes the FOREVER Shooting Sports Program. “We look at this partnership as a way to groom future leaders who care about the legacy we are leaving and who will pass on our love for the outdoors. In turn, that connection to the land through hunting will foster a conservation ethic,” added PF/QF’s Linquist. “We look forward to expanding participation at youth events nationally through this partnership.” Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 745 local chapters across the United States and Canada. For more information about becoming involved with Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, contact John Linquist at 712-754-3221, jlinquist@pheasantsforever.org, or visit pheasantsforever.org.

CZ-USA Video: Handgun Training Tips

There's a good chance you can improve your shooting in just four minutes, the time it takes to watch this video featuring Matt Hopkins, CZ-USA sponsored shooter and USPSA Production Grand Master. Hopkins offers three excellent handgunning techniques for faster, more accurate shooting. The three techniques deal with sight alignment, correct grip, and trigger control.

Larry & Brenda Potterfield Donate Over $1.7 Million to SSSF

Larry and Brenda PotterfieldLarry and Brenda Potterfield recently donated over $1.7 million to the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation to further our role in growing youth shooting through the Scholastic Clay Target Program and the Scholastic Pistol Program. "Brenda and I are delighted to support an organization that utilizes scholastic shooting programs to help develop today’s youth,” said Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. “As leaders, we all have an opportunity to change the future; we’re investing in tomorrow’s leaders, America’s future decision makers." Larry and Brenda were recently named Founding Life Diamond Members of the Champion’s Roundtable, which recognizes donors who have made major contributions to the SSSF mission. They are also Charter Members of the SSSF Legacy Society, which honors donors who have included SSSF in their estate plans through deferred gifts. “The generous support provided to the SSSF by Larry and Brenda is vital to the growth and expansion of our Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Pistol Programs. This donation will help us extend our reach to get more kids pulling triggers and also support local SCTP and SPP team endowment accounts to fund teams well into the future,” said Ben Berka, President and Executive Director of the SSSF. About MidwayUSA Both country kids from Missouri, Larry and Brenda Potterfield turned their passion for shooting sports into a career by opening a small gun shop in 1977 that would eventually become MidwayUSA. They instilled family values like honesty, integrity, and respect for others into the business, and strive to maintain this culture with each employee added to their growing team. For over 37 years, MidwayUSA has offered JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING® for shooting, reloading, gunsmithing, and hunting with an unyielding focus on customer satisfaction. For more information on MidwayUSA, visit their website, www.midwayusa.com, find them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/OfficialMidwayUSA, or follow them on Twitter, twitter.com/midwayusa.

Hear Kim Rhode on ESPN Radio This Saturday

Kim RhodeOlympic shooting star and five-time medalist Kim Rhode can be heard this Saturday morning on ESPN radio at 790 AM on the "Outdoors with Larry Rea" show. As SSSF's Honorary Fundraising Chairperson, Kim, an SCTP alumna, will be appearing on the show on behalf of SSSF to discuss our programs and how to support them. The show broadcasts from Memphis, Tennessee from 6:00 to 7:30 a.m.

Save the Date: College Regional Tournament, Oct. 31-Nov. 2

The Scholastic Clay Target Program will be hosting a College Regional "Spooktacular" Tournament on October 31 - November 2 at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Illinois. The tournament is open to any and all colleges registered with SCTP. Plans are still coming together, but for now, save the date. You don't want to miss this! Details will follow soon. Scholastic Pistol Program teams: Do you want to be included in this fun event? If so, contact Tammy Mowry or Scott Moore to let us know.

Order SPP Nationals T-shirt

The Scholastic Pistol Program has had numerous requests for t-shirts from the 2014 National Championships, so we will be re-ordering a supply of them soon. SPP t-shirts will be available in Small through X-Large sizes for $14 and XXL and XXXL sizes for $16, plus shipping. Click here to place your order on the SSSF online store. The deadline to submit your order is September 7. Delivery will be approximately the week of September 22.
National Shooting Complex

SSSF Home Office Has Moved to San Antonio

National Shooting ComplexIt's moving day! Effective immediately, Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is relocating home-office administration and financial operations from the current Maumee, Ohio office to the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas. Plans for the move were originally announced in March, with a long time-frame for the move to allow for new staff to be hired and trained and to ensure there was no interruption of services to our program participants. "As the Headquarters of the National Skeet Shooting Association and National Sporting Clays Association, the National Shooting Complex is a natural choice to house the SSSF’s operations,” said Louise Terry, Chairperson of the SSSF Board of Directors. "Since we are the largest feeder program for youth shooters to NSSA-NSCA, we envision this as a win-win relationship." Ben Berka, SSSF President and Executive Director, added, "We are pleased to call the National Shooting Complex home for our headquarters operations. Housing our key administrative and financial operations alongside an established and mature shooting sports organization such as the NSSA-NSCA will help us grow and give our home office perpetuity into the future." For most of your contacts with SCTP and SPP, nothing has changed. For program-specific requests, continue to contact the program staff as in the past. Contact for all of those staff members remains unchanged. Only for those reasons you might have contacted the Maumee, Ohio home office in the past will you now need to contact us in San Antonio. You can find contact information for our home office and each program on every page of our website. Just scroll down the page, and you'll find those contacts on the lower right side. Our new home office contact information is:

SSSF 5931 Roft Road San Antonio, TX 78253 210-448-8946

© Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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.
Tax-ID number 20-8484121.