USA Archeryrecently announced a promotional social media and poster campaign with Marvel Entertainment to grow the sport of archery in communities across the country. Launched on National Archery Day, May 13, 2023, USA Archery and Marvel worked together to bring comic book fans a fun influencer video (below) and limited-edition poster (above), promoting USA Archery’s “Archery is for Everyone!” campaign. The poster showcases Hawkeyes Clint Barton and Kate Bishop demonstrating the USA Archery steps of shooting with other Marvel super heroes cheering them on.

In the video, social media influencer Jess Dolan (@femalepeterparker) and four-time Olympian Brady Ellison (@bradyellison) go head-to-head in a heated archery competition, after Brady first teaches Jess how to shoot. Fans can click on the link at the end of the video to find an “Archery is for Everyone!” event in their communities.

USA Archery CEO Rod Menzer said: “We are so excited to collaborate with Marvel and key stakeholders across the country in bringing this campaign to life. Archery has had big moments in the spotlight, spotlight with now-iconic heroes in blockbuster films and television shows, but this time, we’re making sure the industry isn’t on the sidelines. We’re capitalizing on a huge opportunity to grow and promote the sport, making sure fans of archery on-screen get a bow in hand to experience the thrill for themselves and learn how to participate close to home.”

Note: This project was funded by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, and jointly managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

 

USA Archery Awards 2023 Collegiate Regional Coaches of the Year

USA Archeryrecently announced the 2023 USA Archery Collegiate Archery Program Regional Coaches of the Year. These three coaches demonstrated exceptional contributions to their archers and the Collegiate Archery Program as a whole. In the past year, these coaches have shown tireless dedication to the sport, and their archers have seen success in the classroom and on the archery field. USA Archery thanks these coaches, and all collegiate coaches, for their continued efforts.

The 2023 Collegiate Archery Program Regional Coach of the Year honors are awarded as follows:

• West Region: Kendrick Cheney, University of California, Berkeley
• North Region: Craig Holycross, Muskingum University (Ohio)
• East Region: E.G. LeBre, Brandeis University (Massachusetts)

USA Archery CEO Rod Menzer said, “USA Archery congratulates our 2023 collegiate regional coaches of the year and sincerely thanks them for their continued efforts and dedication. Their hard work not only develops our athletes, but the collegiate archery program, and sport as a whole. We hope this honor brings well-deserved increased recognition to the efforts these coaches make for their schools and athletic programs.”

Collegiate Archery Programs submitted nominations for candidates to USA Archery, and each group had the opportunity to vote for one Regional Coach of the Year for their respective region. In addition to regional recognition, these coaches are now in the running for the USA Archery Collegiate Archery Program National Coach of the Year award.

 

NASP Eastern National Tournament Recap

Recently in Louisville, Kentucky, 15,492 student archers in grades 4-12 took part in NASP competition; 14,079 scores for the NASP Bullseye event, and 6,434 scores for the NASP IBO 3D event. The competition was held at the familiar Kentucky Exposition Center.

These archers earned the right to compete by advancing from state tournaments in 33 states. It was estimated that more than 40,000 friends, family and volunteers were also present to help cheer on the student archers at the world’s largest archery tournament!

The NASP Open Championship Tournament will be held June 8-10, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

 

ATA Bow Technician Certification Course Is Live Online

Course content for the ATA’s new Bow Technician Certification course is now live online. The ATA added this member benefit in January 2023 and members can sign up nowto gain immediate access to the on-demand educational video materials.

The ATA created the certification in response to member requests and feedback. A seven-person advisory team consisting of bow manufacturers and trade experts identified the course skills and the acceptable method to complete each skill. Then, ATA staff, led by Kurt Smith, created the content to ensure the information is accurate and reliable.

“We’re excited to offer our members this professional certification,” said ATA President and CEO Jeff Poole. “This program was created with insight from highly skilled industry veterans and sets the industry standard. The course will benefit our members by establishing consistency and increasing customer confidence in the services they offer.”

The coursework is available on-demand online followed by an in-person practical where students must demonstrate proper execution of the course skills, all of which are necessary to set up a compound bow, regardless of brand. Additionally, the program covers the safe use of a bow press, draw board and other shop equipment regularly used in the set up and service of compound bows.

The course is $600 and includes 18 instructional videos with accompanying quizzes grouped into four main sections, plus the in-person practical. Members who sign up will have immediate access to the course material and additional informational resources. Upon graduating from the course, new ATA Certified Bow Technicians will receive a certificate suitable for framing along with materials and decals for their shop.

Contact Kurt Smith, ATA’s director of industry relations, at kurtsmith@archerytrade.org with questions.