Archery Degrees: Hitting The Mark

While you can't get a degree in archery, there are many courses, clubs, and scholarships related to the sport. Archery is one of the oldest sports in the world, but it is not an official sport of the NCAA or NAIA. However, there are still 21 schools that sponsored collegiate varsity teams in 2019-20. Many scholarships are also available for archers, such as those offered by the National Field Archery Association Foundation and the Easton Foundations. These scholarships are often awarded based on financial need, athletic ability, and academic performance.

Scholarships for archery students

While archery is not an official sport of the NCAA or NAIA, there are still a number of archery scholarships available from schools and private organisations. These scholarships are available for students who plan to compete in college archery, and most funding is for high school students who plan to participate in varsity archery teams.

Scholarships from Archery Associations

The National Field Archery Association Foundation (NFAAF) has partnered with the Easton Foundations to offer scholarships to archers. The NFAAF's plan is to divide the scholarships evenly between recurve and compound archers, and between men and women. Applicants must belong to the National Field Archery Association or the National Archery Association/USA Archery (the US Olympic archery team). Award amounts range from $500 to $2,500, but can be as high as $20,000 in exceptional cases.

The NFAA also offers a Memorial Scholarship Program for high school seniors and college students who have belonged to the NFAA for at least two years. The number of scholarships given depends on the funding and number of qualified applicants, but each award is at least $100.

The State Archery Association of Massachusetts (SAAM) provides scholarships for archers from Massachusetts and other states. Applicants must compete in SAAM tournaments and be under 22 years old. They must also submit a detailed essay covering topics like the role of archery in their life and their career plans.

World Sport Chicago’s WSC Scholars Program offers scholarships to high school juniors from the Chicago area who take part in eligible summer Olympic or Paralympic sports, including archery. The program provides financial aid and a year of mentoring to help students secure admission and arrange finances for college. Ten renewable scholarships worth up to $5,000 each are available.

The Minnesota State Archery Association lists a Youth Scholarship as one of the benefits of family membership. Student archers graduating from high school are eligible to compete for two $500 college scholarships, and students in the first three years of college may also apply as long as they are members in good standing.

The Nevada Bow Hunters Association offers a scholarship to a student who actively contributes to the sport of archery and is motivated to seek out information on the scholarship program. Applicants need to supply proof of their academic record, discuss their involvement with archery, and explain how they plan to use the award money.

The Clarke Sinclair Memorial Archery Scholarship is awarded by the family of a young archer in his memory. The scholarship offers between $250 and $1,000 each to one to three applicants in college with a 3.0 GPA. There is a second $500 award available for graduating high school seniors.

Scholarships Available Through Colleges

The College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point lists several scholarships that are suitable for student archers, especially those involved in hunting. These include:

• The BOW Inc. Outdoor Skills Scholarship ($500)
• The Michael Dew Scholarship ($1,000)
• The Wisconsin Traditional Archers Scholarship (two awards of $750 each)

Michigan State University has a group of Undergraduate Shooting Sports Scholarships available for students in the archery, rifle, and pistol shooting clubs. These include:

• The Hal and Jean Glassen Shooting Sports Endowed Scholarship ($2,000)
• The Shooting Sports Club Scholarships ($500)

Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California, offers an archery scholarship for one student every year. The college boasts a spacious 90-meter Easton archery range.

The National Archery Association awards eight scholarships (each worth $500) to students who are actively engaged in the sport of archery. The scholarships are for a single year only and must be reapplied for annually.

The Karl Radde Archery Scholarships are awarded to two full-time undergraduate students each year (one male and one female). Applicants must be US citizens, enrolled in a two-year or four-year university course, and members of the National Archery Association with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

The NCAA offers archery scholarships for students who intend to go to graduate school full-time after their undergraduate degree. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and be nominated by an NCAA director of athletics or a faculty athletic representative.

The Minnesota State Archery Association (MSAA) scholarship program awards scholarships to high school students about to graduate or students in their first three years of college. Applicants must be in good academic standing and sincerely interested in archery. The scholarship is valued at $250.

The Levi Bauer Memorial Scholarship Program is held annually by the Bauer family in honour of Levi Bauer. The proceeds from the archery shoot are awarded as scholarships to students at the Crawford School.

The SAAM gives out scholarships every year to college students who have been members of the association for two years. Applicants must furnish a typewritten essay and will be interviewed before the selection of scholarship awardees.

Collegiate archery programs

Many schools across the United States offer archery programs, with some sponsoring varsity teams and others having official university clubs or student organizations. It is a co-ed sport, with male and female athletes competing under the same conditions but in gender-specific groups.

Collegiate eligibility requirements include being a full-time student in good standing at a college or university. Archers must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate students. The eligibility period is typically seven years, with students able to compete for a maximum of five years.

Some notable collegiate archery programs include those at Michigan State University, Union College, Mount Marty University, James Madison University, Lindenwood University, William Carey University, Texas A&M University, the University of Pikeville, Lindsey Wilson College, and the University of the Cumberlands. These programs offer various benefits, such as indoor and outdoor practice facilities, scholarships, and strength and conditioning programs.

Overall, collegiate archery programs provide students with a fun and challenging sport, a supportive community, and the opportunity to develop their skills and compete at both regional and national levels.

How to start archery

So, you want to start archery? That's great! Archery is a challenging but rewarding sport with a rich history. Here's a guide on how to start:

Step 1: Determine Your Goals

Before you begin, it's important to know what you want to achieve with archery. Are you interested in shooting some arrows casually in your backyard, or do you want to join a club and compete in tournaments? Different types of archery include club target archery, hunting, and horseback archery. Knowing your goals will help you choose the right equipment and get started on the right path.

Step 2: Find an Archery Club or Instructor

One of the best ways to start archery is to join a local archery club or find an instructor. They can provide you with guidance, coaching, and access to equipment without having to spend a lot of money upfront. They can also help you build a community and make new friends who share your interest. If there are no clubs nearby, consider seeking advice from online communities or forums.

Step 3: Choose Your Equipment

When it comes to equipment, there are a few basic things you'll need to get started. These include a bow, a string, arrows, a bracer, a finger tab or glove, a quiver, a bow stand, and a target. You can find this equipment at archery shops or online, but it's important to do your research and get advice from experts to ensure you're getting the right gear for your needs.

Step 4: Learn the Basics

As a beginner, it's important to learn the proper techniques and safety precautions. You can find many resources online or in books, but the best way to learn is by taking lessons from a qualified instructor. They can teach you the correct form, how to aim, and how to improve your accuracy. You can also join group lessons or programs like Explore Archery, Junior Olympic Archery Development, or National Archery in the Schools Program to learn and meet other archers.

Step 5: Practice and Have Fun!

Archery is a skill that takes time and practice to master. Don't get discouraged if you don't hit the bullseye right away. Enjoy the process, and you'll gradually improve your technique and accuracy. Remember to dress appropriately for your lessons, tie back long hair, and follow all safety guidelines when handling the equipment.

Becoming a professional archer

While archery is not historically a professional sport, it is possible to earn a living from it by representing your country, a professional team, or sponsors on the international archery tournament circuit. Here are some steps to help you become a professional archer:

Start Early and Practice Often

According to Stephan Hansen, the world's top-ranked compound man, it is beneficial to start practising archery at a young age, as this allows you to learn gradually and take things slowly. He also emphasises the importance of dedication and a strong work ethic, practising day in and day out. Consistent practice is key to improving your skills and becoming a proficient archer.

Join an Archery Club and Seek Expert Guidance

Archery is not a sport that you should try to learn on your own. It is recommended to join an archery club or organisation, where you can receive guidance from experienced archers and take introductory courses specifically designed for beginners. These courses will teach you common archery terms, proper techniques for stance, grip, and drawing the bow, as well as safety precautions. It is also important to learn from a live instructor who can provide personalised feedback on your form and technique.

Choose the Right Equipment

When selecting your archery equipment, it is crucial to consider factors such as eye dominance, draw weight, and arrow length. Test for eye dominance to determine which side of your body you should hold the bow on. Choose a bow with the appropriate poundage or draw weight based on your size and strength to ensure shooting is challenging but not straining. Select arrows based on your draw length, which can be calculated by measuring your arm span and dividing it by 2.5, then adding 1-2 inches.

Master the Fundamentals and Vary Your Practice

Before advancing to more complex techniques, perfect the fundamentals, including your stance, grip, drawing, and aiming. Learn to account for wind or other weather conditions. As you practise, vary your angles and distances by shooting from longer ranges and different positions. This will help improve your accuracy and adaptability.

Compete in Tournaments and Seek Sponsorship

To establish yourself as a professional archer, participate in local, state, national, and international tournaments. Joining a collegiate archery programme can provide opportunities to develop your skills, compete, and earn recognition. Additionally, seek out sponsorship opportunities to secure funding and represent professional teams or sponsors. Building a strong social media presence can also attract attention and lead to lucrative contracts.

Archery safety

Archery is one of the safest recreational sports, with one of the lowest injury rates. From 2007 to 2014, there were less than 1 injury per 1,000 participants, and sports like soccer, baseball, and basketball have injury rates 20 to 45 times higher. However, there are still some important safety precautions to be aware of when participating in archery.

First, it is crucial to inspect all equipment before use. A major cause of archery-related accidents is damaged bows or bowstrings snapping, so it is important to check all components of the bow and arrow for any signs of damage, including cracks, chips, fraying, warping, or any other wear and tear.

Second, all participants should wear proper archery attire. This means not wearing anything that could get tangled in the bow, such as scarves, hoods, jewelry, or loose clothing.

Third, it is important to follow the standard safety protocol for shooting and retrieving arrows. All archers should load, aim, shoot, and retrieve arrows at the same time, and never load an arrow with people in front of them. Most archery ranges use a system of whistles to control shooting and retrieving: one whistle blow means you can shoot, two means you can approach the shooting line, and three means you can retrieve your arrows.

Fourth, archery ranges should be well-marked and organized, with clear safety lines and buffer zones. The range should be relatively secluded, with no public areas like walkways or trails within 150 yards of all possible trajectories of an arrow. Ranges should also have some form of backstop to prevent arrows from travelling too far beyond the target and to make it easier to collect fired arrows.

Finally, supervision is one of the most important safety precautions in archery. No participant should be allowed to engage in archery without direct supervision, and all instructors should be certified and trained in safety protocols.

Frequently asked questions