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

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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.

Complete Our National Championships Survey

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We want to know what you think. With our 2014 SCTP and SPP National Championships recently behind us, we want to know how we did. Did we meet your expectations or leave you wishing for more? Were our new features hits or misses? We’re already planning next year’s Nationals, and you can help us make the events even better by giving us some input.

Go to our Nationals Survey

Didn’t go to our Nationals events? We still want to hear from you! There are questions for shooters, parents, coaches, and everyone else who has reason to read this page.

We’ve designed the questions so you can simply click to give your response, but if you have more to say, there are opportunities for you to get it all off your chest.

To thank you for your input, we’ll be drawing for eight (8) prize packages that will be won by respondents. Prizes include ammunition, logo clothing, and logo gear.

Thank you in advance for your help in making next year’s National Championships the best ever!

NRA / USA Shooting Level I Coaches Course in Iowa

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The Ankeny Izaak Walton League in Elkhart, Iowa, will host a Level I Coaches Course on November 8-9, 2014. The training will be provided by the Iowa Shotgun Coach Development Team, who are select members of the NRA/USA Shooting National Coach Development Staff (NCDS).

The Level I Coaches Course is a comprehensive program which covers American trap, American Skeet, Sporting Clays, International Skeet, and International (Bunker) Trap.

Registration fee is $180. A 50% tuition reimbursement for Iowa-based SCTP-registered coaches is available through the Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program, Inc., upon successful course completion. Successful completion requires 85% on the written exam and recommendation from the coach trainer.

The two-day course will run 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Candidates should bring their own shotguns, eye and ear protection, shooting vest/shell pouch, and note-taking materials with them. Targets, 12 and 20 gauge target loads, and lunch will be provided each day.

Junior Trainers are also encouraged to attend. The Junior Trainer provides support to the coach, helping younger shooters learn safety and helping the coach at team activities. The Junior Trainer is recognized only to work under the direct supervision of a Coach (Level 1), Certified Coach (Level 2), or Advanced Certified Coach (Level 3). This level of the Coach Education Program is designed for young people, age 15-17, who show leadership in shooting programs. The Junior Trainer must successfully complete the discipline-specific Level 1 Coach School and obtain the recommendations of a parent and a coach.

Click here for registration

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

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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.

SCTP Coach Training in Wisconsin

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If you’re considering becoming an SCTP coach, two upcoming events in Mayville, Wisconsin can help you accomplish that.

On December 12, SCTP will host an informational meeting for those who want to know more about becoming an SCTP coach. You can hear from SCTP representatives and current coaches from the area, as well as having all your questions answered. The meeting is free and open to the public.

On December 13-14, we will offer a Level 1 Coach’s Certification class. The two-day course will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Cost is $190.

For more information on either of these events, contact Amanda Wondrash, 262-206-4634.

Hear Kim Rhode on ESPN Radio This Saturday

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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.

Larry & Brenda Potterfield Donate Over $1.7 Million to SSSF

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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.

SCTP Junior Olympic Development Camp Is a Hit

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SCTP has just completed its second Junior Olympic Development Camp of the year at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The camps are held in conjunction with USA Shooting to help USAS identify SCTP athletes who may have the potential to become USA Shooting team members.

Both athletes and coaches participate in the Junior Olympic Development Camps. Athletes learn about the international shooting disciplines, engage in a little friendly competition, and enjoy rubbing elbows with Olympic athletes and coaches while living for a few days at the Olympic Training Center. Coaches gain the experience they need to train athletes in the international disciplines.

Athletes, coaches, and parents have nothing but glowing reviews of the camps:

    “I can’t say enough about how great this last week was. It really did exceed my expectations from every angle. I learned a bunch about my personal coaching style, about how to motivate these kids and how to ‘fill the hopper’ for USA Shooting. I doubt I’d be able to even say the one thing that was best about this week.”

    “Getting to know [the SCTP staff] only reinforced what I knew: that SCTP is a first-class organization with first-class people, and I’m proud to be associated with it. My personal confidence in being able to help these athletes has increased, and I know I’ve got a backup team to help when we hit a wall.”

    “Just wanted to thank you and the rest of the coaches for a great experience for the kids in Colorado Springs. What a fantastic program and opportunity for the kids to get the Olympic training experience, as well as try something new. We really appreciate the work that went into setting up and running this camp. Would not change a thing. Nice to have some new drills to take home to liven up practice.”

    “Your efforts are very much recognized and appreciated. [My son] has not stopped talking about the camp (which is unusual for him as he usually doesn’t say much in general).”

    “Thank you so much for all the work that went into holding the SCTP camp for the kids! I know how much goes into the planning and logistics, so we just wanted to let you know how much it is appreciated. [My son] had a great time and got a lot out of his time with the athletes and coaches at Ft. Carson.”

If you didn’t make it to one of the Junior Olympic Development Camps this year, plan to participate in a camp next year. Dates will be May 21-25 and August 9-16, 2015.

We’ve posted some photos from last week’s camp on our Facebook page.

Sporting Clays Shoot to Benefit Habitat for Humanity

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If you’re in Middle America this weekend, here’s something you can do that is fun and benefits a good cause.

SCTP shooter Corey Spruill and his father, coach James Spruill, of the Gateway Claybusters in Missouri, are hosting their annual sporting clays shoot to benefit Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, August 23.

Shooting for the 100-target event starts at 8 a.m.

Team entry is $300, and individuals may shoot for $75.

Click on the links below for more information and registration.

Event Flyer

Sponsor Information

Registration Form

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

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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.

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