The US Collegiate Archery Association (USCA) attended the Archery Trade Association (ATA) Summit, held in Nashville this past week, with Program Director Lorretta Sinclair participating on behalf of USCA. The purpose of the ATA Summit is to bring together those responsible for developing archery and bowhunting programs in communities throughout the United States, and included the USCA, as well as representatives from the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP), the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO), the After School Archery Program (ASAP), the Archery Shooters’ Association (ASA), Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD), the Departments of Natural Resources from several states, and others who are involved in the growth of the sport of archery.

Those participating on behalf of key organizations were asked to present on the growth and development of their programs, as well as demonstrating how they have reached out to grassroots organizations such as NASP and 4-H, in order to develop the interest of beginning archers in those programs and transition them into the archery community. The US Collegiate Archery Association’s presentation centered on the purpose and mission of the program, as well as its efforts over the past year to reach out to archers from all organizations and archery disciplines, including those using Genesis, traditional, compound, recurve and barebow equipment.

“We see college archery as the bridge between youth programs and archery in the adult community,” explained Sinclair. “The USCA plays a critical role in ensuring that young archers continue with the sport into adulthood, and also allows those who have never shot before to be introduced to the sport of archery in their college years. Through events like the ATA Summit, and by reaching out to archers from all youth programs and archery disciplines, we can make archery a part of the campus experience at every college.”

For more information, contact USCA Publicist Teresa Iaconi.