The US College Archery Program
Posted by: lorrettasinclair on: May 25, 2009
College Archery Program
Who are we and where are we going?
The CAP has new adventures on the horizon as the leadership continues to not only promote archery to target archers, but to open the doors to organizations and youth programs across the country. Whether a college student is a bow hunter, target archer, 3D shooter, recreational or competitive, the goal of the current Executive Council is to find a way to be inclusive and offer new competition opportunities.
We are at a critical point in the history of the College Archery program and it’s time for all college athletes, coaches, advisors, and leaders to look ahead to the future of our program.
With the interest and support from many organizations around the country, there are questions being asked about the structure and governance of the program as well as what the leadership envisions for the program.
Our Vision
As outlined in the 2009 CAP Strategic Plan, the vision of the U.S. College Archery Program (CAP) is to establish college archery as an integral part of the campus experience in as many colleges and universities as possible.
Our Mission
The mission of the CAP is to serve as the governing body for both recreational and elite archery competition in college. Its central purpose and role is to develop and maintain the resources and infrastructure that will support and grow college archery programs across the nation. The program is responsible for ensuring that the U.S. Intercollegiate Archery Championships are held and also responsible for selecting collegiate archery teams to represent the U.S. at international events in accordance with FISU rules and regulations. FISU is the International Governing Body for University Sports.
Margaret Klann, Founder of the US College Archery Program
CAP History
Early history of the College Archery Program can be found in volume two of Robert Rhode’s excellent work entitled, ‘History of the NAA.’ While the minutes of the meetings are being compiled to be posted on the CAP website, a brief overview of who we are and how we got started is as follows:
The College Archery Program is the National Governing Body for college archery in the U.S. Started in 1963, under the name, ‘College Archery Coaches Association,’ the program was a collective group of archery clubs from universities across the U.S. In 1967, under the leadership of Arizona State University coach Margaret Klann, the first U. S. Inter-collegiate Archery Championship (USIAC) was held.
In May 1971, in an agreement with Clayton Shenk, the President of the National Archery Association (NAA), the program came under the umbrella of the NAA as the College Division. The enabling charter provided the program with autonomy and self-direction and has operated as an independent organization within the NAA ever since it’s final adoption in 1972 by the College Archery Executive Council.
The College Archery Program has an elected board that governs the day to day business of the program as outlined in the CAP Rules and Procedures Handbook. The Executive Council includes a Director, Assistant Director, four Regional Representatives and two student athlete representatives which sets policy and presides over the program.
Each year athletes compete in Indoor and Outdoor tournaments as individuals and teams. The Collegiate National Indoor Championships are held in conjunction with the NAA’s National Indoor Championships. The finale and highlight of the college season is the USIAC which is hosted by one of the College Clubs each year. National titles are bestowed on the top college athletes for individual, team, and mixed team championships. Athletes who have learned archery during the academic year compete for the honor of ‘Best New Archer.’ The titles of All-Academic Archery Team and All-American are two of the highest honors awarded to college athletes.
Bob Ryder Winner of the 2009 Margaret Klann Award, Photo Courtesy of Gary Holstein
In honor of Margaret Klann, her vision and dedication, Coaches vie for the Coach of the Year award. Each region annually selects a Regional Coach of the Year, from which one of those four are voted by the clubs at USIAC for the national honor.
Compound archery was included in the College Archery Program in 1996. The compound archers have provided numerous national and world championships and many top athletes.
2009 World University Archery Championships US Compound Men, Photo Courtsey of Joe Lorenti
While NCAA status was once a part of college archery, universities and colleges across the country cut the program for a variety of reasons in the late 80’s and 1990’s. While there are a handful of varsity clubs remaining (and all but one of those are co-ed), the vast majority of the clubs are through the Club Sports Departments at universities and colleges. This allows for both men and women to participate equally and many clubs receive financial support from their universities to help fund equipment and travel.
Universities have rules and procedures for these student-run clubs. Information on the student athlete’s role and responsibilities are outlined in each university’s handbook. Find yours and learn what it takes to have a successful student club! CAP recognizes the new role of the student run clubs and continues to adapt to the changes. The CAP Rules and Procedure Handbook is updated as needed by the CAP Executive Council.
Many clubs have excellent, dedicated coaches, while others choose to have student coaches. Most coaches are not paid and are part of the club at the will of the student clubs. The CAP is fortunate to have many dedicated people that help guide and advise the student clubs. When you see a college coach, you know they are there for the love of archery, not the money –
2009 USIAC Mixed Team Round, Photo Courtesy of Gary Holstein
Growth
With the strong support of the Easton Foundations, the USA College Archery Program is in a mode of rapid growth. Clubs can receive equipment assistance, coaching and athlete training, and other support from the CAP.
As of May 2009, there are 80 clubs and more than 1000 athletes participating in the program; the number of clubs has more than doubled in the last four years The CAP is the fastest growing division of archery in the U.S. with an anticipated 300 clubs in the next three years. An interesting aspect of college archery is that approximately 50% of the program’s participants learn archery while attending college.
Providing input, feedback, and addressing concerns to the CAP Executive Council is the way to help the CAP progress and grow. Positive discussion is needed from athletes, coaches, and advisors and is always welcomed. Contact your regional rep, an athlete rep or the Director and Assistant Director with your ideas and don’t hesitate to volunteer. It’s through the efforts of many that USA College Archery will continue to thrive, grow, and be welcoming to all archers who attend college in the U.S.
What’s our future?
There are two attributes of CAP that help ensure our success. First we are inclusive at all levels. Our leadership reaches out to archery groups that aren’t traditionally associated with FITA archery. Our athletes have the ability to include and make friends of their competitors. It’s this aspect of college archery that makes the tournaments so enjoyable. The interaction between clubs, individual athletes, and the willingness of coaches to work with each other has provided perhaps the strongest foundation we need – the belief that while we may come from different schools, we are ultimately a single tight-knit group.
Second, we have been self-governing for over 40 years. This ensures that our clubs and leadership stay engaged and have the freedom to excel. This attribute isn’t unique to college archery. I’ve been researching US college sports organizations and I’ve yet to find a college sport organization that isn’t self-governing regardless of whether it is an Olympic sport, NCAA sport, both or neither. Self-government is what provides us with engaged national leaders, club leaders, athletes and coaches. This freedom allows us the opportunity to excel and adapt as needed.
2009 Ohio State NASP Championships, Photo Courtsey of Karen Gill
We will continue to thrive. We will increase our numbers from the youth organizations: NASP, ASAP, JOAD, OAS, and 4H. And we’ll continue to recruit new archers from the college student population. Eventually we’ll see resurgence in Varsity archery. For 42 years, we succeeded, and now with private financial support, the CAP is poised to return to prominence as the premiere archery program in the U.S, where Olympic athletes and World Champions will continue to come from the ranks of the best and the brightest.
It might be a pipedream, but it’s my pipedream, and I’m sticking to it.
Lorretta Sinclair
24 May, 2009
