The USA Archery National 3D Collegiate Championship is returning to Foley for the seventh year in a row bringing with it teams from across the country.
This national event is hosted in conjunction with the Archery Shooters Association (ASA). ASA Event Director, Mike Tyrell said this year teams will be coming from as far west as California and as far north as New York. The competition consists of eight classes- men’s and women’s compound bow, with fixed pins and movable site classes, barebow recurve, and Olympic recurve.
ASA also conducts six Pro/Am competitions around the country each year, and this championship is different from what they’re usually hosting.
“This event focuses on individual, as well as team, competition whereas our Pro/Am events are strictly individual,” Tyrell explained. “We kick things off with a team mixer on the first day and Saturday features head-to-head team competitions.”
While there is a sense of friendly comradery during the event, USA Archery CEO Rod Menzer said everyone still wants to win and the athletes participating are no strangers to tough competition.
“The collegiate program is full of talent,” said USA Archery CEO Rod Menzer. “And that will be on full display at the Collegiate 3D Nationals, with a number of archers who have medaled internationally this year. We are looking forward to being back in Foley, and to an exciting few days, where the quality of archery will be matched only by the rivalry, intensity and drama.”
City of Foley Leisure Services Executive Director David Thompson said both the team aspect and the intense competition are things Foley Sports Tourism is used to, but this event brings something extra to the table.
“Collegiate athletics are unique,” Thompson said. “Not everyone is blessed with the opportunity to compete at that level. These shooters get the chance to be a part of something special, and they know it. Traveling a distance to shoot on a national stage is an experience that will stay with them forever. We want to make sure every aspect of that experience is as remarkable as we can make it, so in the future, they’ll want to return and relive some of those moments, maybe even at one of the ASA events we host.”
One of those memorable aspects is the October 7 awards banquet and team final shoot at the Foley Event Center. Teams will get the opportunity to mingle, break bread, and try one last time to nab the title. Tyrell said they want the teams to be able to share this experience with their loved ones as well so the entire event is open to public spectators and the Saturday evening festivities are also streaming live on the Foley Event Center Facebook Page.
For more information on the USA Archery National 3D Collegiate Championship contact Stephanie Donald, sdonald@cityoffoley.org.
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