The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is pleased to announce Tom Davis will join the SSSF team as its new Marketing and Communications Manager.
Tom Davis joins the SSSF team as Manager of Communications and Marketing
“We saw the need to bring our marketing efforts in-house going into 2020,” said SSSF President, Ben Berka. “We intend to bring a more authentic and consistent line of communication to our current members, industry partners, and prospective members with the addition of Tom Davis. Tom has previous marketing experience in the firearms industry at SilencerCo and also has a unique perspective as an alumnus of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP). We believe his professional expertise and passion to give back to our programs will have a significant positive impact at the SSSF.”
Tom will be responsible for developing and perfecting a new marketing strategy for the foundation. His marketing plan understands the need to communicate to several different audiences using unique and compelling messages about the program and its participants. By researching participant demographics and applying targeted marketing techniques, Tom’s marketing strategy will grow program membership and improve communication to current members and stakeholders.
“I feel incredibly fortunate and fired up to give back to the SSSF," stated Davis. "I have traveled to places and met people I never would have otherwise thanks to shooting sports. I truly believe the stories from the SSSF programs sell themselves. I’m excited to communicate these stories and information to our current audiences and prospective members.”
Davis will assume his new role with the SSSF on January 2nd.
The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic action Shooting Program (SASP) are ready and welcoming youth shooting sports teams from around the country for yet another successful shooting competition season!
As the leader in youth shooting sports, these programs go above and beyond in providing safe and fun competitive programs. Programs that instill confidence and respect while getting youth “off the couches” and participating in these highly energetic activities! Youth from grades 5 through College are welcome as well as any other organized youth programs like Boy/Girl Scouts, 4H, AIM, FFA, US Naval Sea Cadets, USAYESS and more. The SCTP and SASP do not discriminate and welcome everyone!
These programs were started by Industry and ran under the auspice of the NSSF back in 2001. As true today, Industry stands behind them 100% with both financial and product support making them the most supported youth shooting organization in the world!
Keeping in line with our standard of being #1, the SSSF liability insurance policy now provides a general aggregate limit of $10 million. The SSSF Commercial General Liability Insurance policy is the most comprehensive coverage available in the industry for youth shooting sports athletes, volunteer coaches, advisors, and other volunteers who have joined the SCTP and SASP. The new aggregate limit is twice that of previous policies.
“While the SCTP boasts an impeccable safety record, we feel it is in our best interest to make sure all of our athletes and coaches are properly insured” stated Tom Wondrash, SCTP National Director. “We take protecting our members very seriously and have shown it by increasing the limits of the SSSF policy to a new level of protection! Industry and teams alike can rest assured we are taking every step to keep our members safe and covered!”
The SCTP is involved with all the clay target sports including Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, Double Trap, Handicap Trap, Skeet Doubles, International Skeet and Bunker Trap and is the official youth program to USA Shooting!
Being a member of the SCTP or SASP is only $25 for athletes and $35 for coaches and volunteers. Sportsman’s Insurance Agency (SIAI) provides the unprecedented commercial general liability coverage for SSSF, which is underwritten by T.H.E. Insurance Company, an AM Best A- rated company. Sportsman’s also provides endorsed insurance programs for organizations such as the NSSA-NSCA, ATA, SCI and more.
SSSF is also pleased to offer the nation’s finest gun insurance to members of SCTP/SASP through Sportsman’s Insurance Agency Inc.
“We are excited to provide the best insurance found in youth programs.” Stated Rick Leach SASP National Director. We continue to look for ways give our coaches and athletes great value with their membership.
SASP is involved with all aspects of Pistol and Rifle competition for youth around the country. Action shooting sports continue to grow in the country. Which became even more evident this year when the SASP National Championships became the world’s largest action shooting match held in history.
The youth shooting sports program season started September 1st and the season runs through August 31st.
If you are looking to get your son/daughter involved or are looking to start a new team at your gun club, please visit our SCTP or SASP program pages.
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is seeking a highly motivated individual to assume the role of Information Technology Project Manager. The successful candidate will have a background in product management and be responsible all aspects of customer facing software application development, testing, training, implementation and support for the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation.
The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of customer facing information technology (IT) project management for the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Action Shooting Program. Successful candidate will play a key role in the organizations ability to recruit and retain members and supporters.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
Managing all aspects of customer facing applications and software life cycle for the SSSF and its programs including development, implementation, support and retirement
Working with diverse groups including SSSF/SCTP/SASP management, customers, partners, contractors and other stakeholders to accurately assess current and future information technology needs required to increase membership, event participation and overall support of the SSSF and its programs
Prioritizing information technology needs and developing detailed IT project proposals and product road maps for program and foundation management
Creating timelines, developing budgets and identifying resources required for successful project completion of both short and long-term IT projects
Providing point solutions and integrations as needed to satisfy business needs
Documenting projects and communicating regular progress with all stakeholders
Creating comprehensive testing and implementation plans
Working with IT support staff to develop both internal and customer training materials
Planning and executing both internal and end-user training
Interacting with management, staff, membership, contractors and others to execute job duties
Constantly monitoring and evaluating technology trends and developments
At this year’s SASP National Championships, 91 athletes from 17 states competed to help their state become the top state in pistol or rifle and have bragging rights for the next year.
To compete in the All State Competition at Nationals, athletes had to compete at their respective state SASP matches in Centerfire pistols .22 pistol, .22 rifle (optic or iron), or PCC.
The top two SASP athletes at their respective state championships were eligible to represent his or her state in that discipline. Athletes could qualify as All-State athletes in both the rifle and pistol disciplines. All athletes that attended the National Championships (representing their state as an All-State Team member) received a custom shirt signifying their All-State Team designation, thanks to the generous sponsorship by GLOCK, ACTION TARGET, CZ-USA and RUGER.
Rafe Nielsen (left) presents Grace Marlen a scholarship check at the SCTP National Championships. Grace shot a 200 x 200 with a Browning and won a shoot-off with two others to claim the prize July 20 at the Cardinal Shooting Center
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation through their Scholastic Clay Target Program and their Scholastic Action Shooting Program awarded 126 youth athletes over $100,000.00 in college Scholarships through their scholarship program and at the 2019 National Championships in Marengo, Ohio last month.
Tom Wondrash, National Director noted, “this is the first time our combined programs were able to award our Youth Athletes and their families over $100,000.00 in college scholarships. We could not have done it without the generous support of our program sponsors who continue to step up and support this initiative”.
In addition to the scholarships awarded to SCTP and SASP youth athletes that apply for these awards,at this years National Championships special scholarships were awarded by Browning, Beretta, and Blaser USA. In order to be eligble, athletes must have shot a Browning shotgun in 16 yard singles trap, a Beretta shotgun in the skeet event or a Blaser shotgun in the sporting clays event.
“The smiles on the faces of our athletes that are awarded college scholarships makes it all worthwhile” said SASP National Director Rick Leach. “College is such a significant financial commitment for all our youth athletes and their families. These college scholarships, no matter what the amount are something the youth athletes themselves can contribute to the effort”.
For a complete list of all the 2019 SCTP and SASP College Scholarship winners, click here.
65 SASP teams from over 20 states from as far away as Washington State traveled with their Youth Athletes, Coaches, Volunteers, and Parents all came together at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio for what proved to be a “Record Breaking” 2019 SASP National Championship.
With over 1,650 entries, this years SASP National Championship surpassed Glock Shooting Sports Foundation to become the largest Action Shooting Match in history. SASP founding sponsors Glock, Ruger, CZ USA, and Action Target were all in attendance to be a part of this historic milestone. Over 250,000 shots were fired at the 2019 National Championship competitions.
Congratulations to all our 2019 SASP National Championship Individual and team winners. Many teams came to the Cardinal Center to defend their previous titles and left holding the “top spots” again for 2019. Still, many of this year’s individual and team winners were on the podium for the first time. It was easy to see that all our SASP teams had worked hard all year to get ready for the intense competition that is always a part of the SASP National Championships.
Our thanks to all our safety officer volunteers who put in over 1000 combined hours in the 90 plus degree heat and humidity. And our thanks to the staff at the Cardinal Center for their support.
For everyone involved it was an amazing week and it’s time to start planning for our next record setting National Championship event, July 11-18, 2020!
For a complete list of the 2019 SASP winners, click the Results Tab on the menu bar of the www.sssfonline.org website.
About the National Championships Complete information, participation, statistics and stock photos can be found at: https://sssfonline.org/news/media/
The competition was fierce for this years CZ-USA Top Gun Challenge athletes at the SSSF 2019 National Championships at the Cardinal Center in Marengo, Ohio.
Athletes competing in the CZ-USATop Gun Challenge had to shoot the following SCTP and SASP events at the 2019 National Championships:
16 Yard Trap
Skeet
Sporting Clays
Rifle (irons, optics or pistol caliber carbine)
Centerfire or Rimfire Pistol
1911/2011 Pistol
Congratulations to the following 2019 CZ-USA Top Gun Challenge Winners, Grades 12 and Under 1st Place: Jack Krasulak/Young Guns at Quail Creek won a CZ Drake Shotgun, a CZ P-10 Pistol, and a CZ American .22 rifle 2nd Place: Joe Humphrey/Northern Kentucky Top Guns won a CZ Drake Shotgun 3rd Place: Aaron Copelan/Lake Oconee won a Certificate for a Glock Pistol 4th Place: Graham Eubanks/Lake Oconee won a Mossberg Blaze Rifle 5th Place: Dylan Joel/Daniel Boone/Hartford won a Case of Winchester Shotgun Shells, and 1000 rounds of CCI Mini Mags 6th Place: Riley Downs/Lake Oconee won Walker’s Hearing Protection and RE Ranger Shooting Glasses
In addition, the following prizes were awarded for Collegiate CZ-USA Top Gun Challenge Winners 1st Place: Edie Keung/Jacksonville University won a Mossberg Blaze Rifle 2nd Place: Miller Souther/Northern Kentucky Top Guns won an XX2i Shooting Glasses Certificate
Congratulations to all our 2019 CZ-USA Top Gun Challenge Winners! And a special “thanks” to CZ-USA and all our CZ-USA Top Gun Challenge Sponsors for providing prizes for this year’s program.
Twelve (12) Youth Athletes from Custer, Washington based SASP Team Gotta are heading to the 2019 SASP National Championships in Marengo, Ohio this week to defend a host of titles earned at the 2018 SASP National Championships.
In 2018 Team Gotta won 1st Place in Rimfire Pistol, 1911 Pistol and Open Optic Rifle. Team Gotta, the SASP that travels each year across the country to attend the National Championships hold multiple events throughout the year to cover the cost of travel for the team athletes and coaches. Team Gotta Head Coach, Jim Coffey proudly stated, “last year and again this year our team athletes did not have to pay a dime to travel to Nationals”. The entire teams’ efforts throughout the year along with a grant from the Midway Foundation made all that possible.”
In addition to competing in numerous SASP events, Team Gotta youth athlete Naomi McKay, who finished 2018 as the Rimfire Pistol Senior Lady High Overall sang the National Anthem at the 2019 National Championships opening ceremonies on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.
About the National Championships Complete information, participation, statistics and stock photos can be found at: https://sssfonline.org/news/media/
Come meet and learn from SIG team
Captain, Max Michel at the 2019 Scholastic Action Shooting Program National
Championships!
All action shooting enthusiasts
attending the 2019 National Championships at the Cardinal Shooting Center in
Marengo, OH are invited to attend a unique learning opportunity presented by
SIG. Clinic times are Monday, July 15 10:00AM and 3:00PM at the action shooting
range. Max will also be shooting the official SASP course of fire on Monday
starting at Noon.
Max will also be providing
personalized coaching to 4 specially selected SASP athletes at noon while he
shoots the SASP Nationals stages. The 4 SASP athletes will be chosen from those
in attendance and will get to shoot one stage with Max while he coaches them
through the stage.
Max Michel, Jr. is one of the most
dominant shooters in the world today. Michel is a Guinness World Record holder
and International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) World Champion (World
Shoot XVII). He also holds seven World Speed Shooting Championships (2016,
2015, 2014, 2013, 2009, 2007 and 2005), ten USPSA National Championships (2017,
2016, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004), five US Steel
National Championships (2017, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2008), and more than 200 other
major championship victories. As an international competitor, Michel has
represented the United States in the last seven IPSC World Shoots and returned
home bearing gold each time.
As the Captain of Team SIG, Max is
recognized worldwide as a top tier athlete and instructor, along with being
mentor and coach for the team.
Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) athletes had the
opportunity to train and compete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado
Springs, CO. From May 24-26, 2019 12
Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) athletes learned to shoot the
International disciplines of 10 Meter Air Pistol, Sport Pistol and Rapid-Fire
Pistol. Athletes stayed at the Olympic
Training Center and were trained by USA Shooting Coach Brent McPherson and
former USA National Team Member and USA Shooting Board Member Jim
Henderson. This was SASP’s first Junior
Olympic Development Camp (JODC) in 5 years.
For action shooters the athletes picked up the Olympic
disciplines quickly. Before they left
the Olympic Training Center 8 of 12 athletes shot 10M Air Pistol scores that
would have qualified them last year to be invited to the Junior Olympic Trials
for a chance to make the United States Junior Olympic Team. Coach Jim Henderson stated, “In all my years
of coaching I have never seen a group of athletes pick this up so quickly, and
then perform at this high of a level.”
Congratulation to the following SASP athletes who applied
and were selected to attend the SASP 2019 JODC.
Jordan Walton WI, Annie Unsell AL, Bailey Lueders MO, Julia
Kassa AZ, Sydnie Gray MI, Natalie Unsell AL, Jacob Pruitt OH, Ethan Jardines
VA, Robert Little TX, Sawyer Phipps TN, Zachary Winton TX, and Maccoy Gilkison
VA.
We also had SASP coaches and SASP staff participate in an
international discipline coach’s clinic on May 22 and 23 before helping coach
the SASP athletes upon their arrival.
Russell Gilkison VA, Samantha Engle MI were the coaches that
participated in the coach program.
SASP is excited to watch as these athletes continue to
participate in the International disciplines with hopes of one day seeing one
of them standing on the podium and the American Flag is raised as they
represent our county in international competition.
We look forward to again holding a JODC in 2020.
SASP would like to thank USA Shooting, especially Brent McPherson and Jim Henderson for their coaching and working with us to provide this great opportunity for our athletes. We would also like to thank the US Olympic Training Center for their hospitality.
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.
