SSC Collegiate Nationals Award $50,000
OutdoorHub 03.22.13
High schools, Colleges & Universities use funds to support their programs
Today, the Scholastic Steel Challenge (SSC) awarded $50,000 to seven student marksman teams comprised of high school and college students as part of the 2013 National Championships hosted at Fort Benning by the US Army marksmanship Unit.
Each team received their prize money as a contribution to a MidwayUSA Foundation endowment fund setup for their school. The endowment funds are used to setup and support SSC team activities as they practice and travel for competition.
The teams are timed as they engage four arrays of steel targets set anywhere from 7 to 35 yards away. Students fire .22 rimfire and 9mm handguns, shooting as rapidly as accuracy will permit. The times of each competitor are added up and the team with the lowest cumulative time wins.
“It is really exciting to see these kids succeed out here,” said SSC Director Robin Taylor. “The hard work and dedication they put into their practices really shows on the range,” added Taylor.
The events are designed to teach discipline, teamwork and leadership.
“This is going to make a big difference in our program,” says Maj. Chris Kliewer, the United States Military Academy at West Point’s new SSC coach.
Maj. Kliewer has reason to be proud. His two teams USMA “Black” and USMA “Gold” combined to win $16,000 – the largest prize total at Nationals.
The SSC is funded in part through a donation from Larry and Brenda Potterfield that allows them to award prizes at SSC events.
“Without the MidwayUSA Foundation Scholastic Shooting Trust many of these teams wouldn’t exist” said USPSA Executive Director Kim Williams. “The support of Larry and Brenda Potterfield has made such a significant impact in the lives of these great kids – we couldn’t be more grateful,” added Williams.
